The Broussard Family

Louisiana

2012-01-23T22:25:00.001-05:00

This is so true. I have lived in a few other states and true southerns are the best. I have a few friends in other places though that are Louisiana at heart!

FRIENDS VS. LOUISIANA FRIENDS
FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Always bring the food.

FRIENDS: Will say 'hello'.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.

FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. And Mrs.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Cry with you.

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, drinking, telling stories, and just being together.

FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' back-ends that left you.

FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, 'I'm home!

FRIENDS: will visit you in jail.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: will spend the night in jail with you.

FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you're sick
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: will cut your grass and clean your house then come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you come home

FRIENDS: have you on speed dial
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: have your number memorized.

FRIENDS: Are for a while.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Are for life.

FRIENDS: Might ignore this.
LOUISIANA FRIENDS: Will send this to all theirLOUISIANA Friends

and those who once lived in LOUISIANA.

18weeks and now 5 MONTHS!

2012-01-10T23:20:00.000-05:00

I can't believe we are 4 weeks away from 6 months. Time flies when you are enjoying a cute and happy baby!

So tomorrow Louis will be a full 5 months. I am just posting the blog a little early.

Louis has met even more milestones this month. He is starting to try to sit up and often falls forward. At 20 weeks he started rolling BOTH ways! Let's just say it's his favorite past time these days when he is put down in his bed or on his play mat. Louis has also discovered that those cute little feet belong to him! So usually it's a grab the feet and roll motion a lot these days.

He also has started to notice his 4 legged brothers Buddy and Potter. We sat in the living room one night with Louis in his little rocker and he looked over at Buddy and began to laugh like he had heard the funniest joke. Yes, our happy baby started having big gut laughs! The cute ones you hear when you tickle the legs! I couldn't get the camera fast enough for the big laughs but I did get him giggling some at Buddy. Later in the week I got his laugh good. Both videos are below:

I also got a video of him rolling. It took 2 takes because he didn't have room at first to make a full roll.

Also this month he is more engaged in his toys and trying to reach for things that are interesting, and moving things from one hand to the next. He has got better at putting the noonie back in after he takes it out ( still a work in progress). His Daddy has spotted him a few times trying to grab the fish on his swing mobile.

I put him to sleep one night in his baby bed vs pack & play. I was fine with it and excited. Well, poor daddy was worried to pieces. Was he breathing, he couldn't see him breath or him well enough, could he please be back in the room with us. He also asked me if he was old enough to sleep in the bed, I chuckled and told him yes since the day he was born. It was so cute. He did sleep for 5-6 hours that night in his bed. When is daddy is a little closer to ready and he sleeps a few hours longer I will make a permanent movie.

I have also tried some food with Louis. Although amazingly he isn't all that interested yet. I did some homemade and did some store bought organic. He hasn't been to happy with sweet potato, so/so with bananas and apples, care less about brown rice cereal, and pears were better than bananas. I will keep trying every few weeks. I figure he will let me know when he wants the food. Below are the never released photos of food tries ( I have sub-par video of the cereal...not worth posting):

Books for this month are below. I read to him the books from my childhood that I had saved for Christmas. We also continue to read his bible. I had trouble reading the cajun one..haha.

I got the next 4 at the dollar store!

Louis also celebrated his first New Years in style....right. Yes, and we were all asleep long before midnight in LA. We did watch the ball drop in NYC on TV. He also had his first Christmas, but that has already been blogged.

To celebrate the New Year Louis' first 2 bottom teeth have broke the skin and are showing! I will take a picture once they are out more. I weighed him last week at 17.8 pounds. At his appoint on Dec 12th he was 25 inches long. He is getting to be a big boy.

In case you were wondering....Jack is still posing every Thursday!

IN closing LSU's season ended undefeated only to be beat in the National Championship. Louis is still a fan, but says let now focus on the Saints! WHO DAT!

Click here for all 5 month photos on FB!

First Christmas 1

First Christmas 2

Baby Lou's 1st Christmas....

2012-01-06T22:49:00.001-05:00

Let's just say I think all the grandparents were more excited about Christmas this year than Louis. I am pretty sure he enjoyed all the attention he got from Thurs to Monday!

We spent Thurs night at Jared's parents house In Scott. Louis got his first gift from Granna and Pawpaw Broussard. It is the giraffe pictured below. I tell you Louis fell in love with that thing. I hooked it to his car seat while driving from place to place over the holidays and he would grab the giraffe's legs and smile. Since he have been home he has LOVED going to sleep with the "Relax mode playing. We have named the giraffe after our friend Geoffrey Grice....I didn't just like Jeoffrey and everytime we said it's name it made me and J say " Geoffrey Grice" ( like our friend Bill....you would just have to know Bill to understand how to say it).

We spent early Fri until lunch at the Broussard home. We then went meet Jared's new future Godchild Peyton Credeur! He was so cute and little ( only 1 week old at the time). I had forgot what it was like to hold a newborn! We then headed to Baton Rouge so Louis could see his Nanny Becky. He also go to meet Keema and Oompapa ( Becky's parents) for the first time. It was kinda funny for a little while there me and Becky traded babies! She played with Louis and I put Lionel to sleep!

After we left Becky's we went to rest for the evening at the Tullier's ( my aunt and uncle's...aka my second home). There Aunt Debbie, Uncle Cole, Uncle Kyle and Dobell were all waiting to kiss him up! He also got another gift from Dobell. He and Cole played with it later that night. It was so cute to see my last little baby playing with my current baby. I reminded Cole that I was his age when he was born. I love seeing his go crazy over Louis. I was the same way about him when I was his age!

Saturday morning Jared went for his first deer hunting with my Daddy. Louis and me dropped him off (since Louis was up of course) in the morning. We went back later in the morning for Christmas lunch at my Dad and Gina's house. Daddy and J didn't bring any deer home, but we did have some good grub for lunch. Louis again was adored by grandparents and great grandparents. I had a video of him cracking up in his crib. I showed Papa Lou and it brought him to tears and smiles. He kept saying " That's not him. You are lying to your Pawpaw...that's not him." It was so cute. Louis was also a little flirt that day. He was holding on to baby Breigh. She is the sister of my nephew Kane and is a few weeks older than Louis. She did get him back once by grabbing his pacifier! Mawmaw Nita gave Louis this cute dancing Christmas toy. He hadn't really made much of a reaction to these type toys, but this one has 4 little penguins dancing in front of Frosty. He thought those were pretty cool for grabbing! Louis also met his Great Aunt Gail for the first time ( Mawmaw Nita's sister). Ma Gina made us where Santa suits for pictures. She and Daddy did it too. My Dad was so over though. There are a few pictures with the ball of the hat in his face! hehehehe

Smokey was interested in all the babies this Christmas. He wasn't sure what to think of these small humans.

These were in the dollar bin at Target. I couldn't help myself!

After my Dad & Gina's, we went to Nannie Grannie Annie's. We didn't do pictures Christmas Eve with her, but got some Christmas Day in front the tree at Joel & Debbie's. Again Louis got some loving and attention. " Aunt Darlene" (Mama's neighbor) also came over to see Louis.

We went back to Joel and Debbie's for the night. Louis seemed to be exhausted, but perked wide awake when we got to the White Elephant Family Party that the Morgan family has every Christmas eve ( Aunt Debbie's family). Again, Louis got some attention and kisses. Are you seeing a pattern yet? We stayed there until Christmas Day lunch. Louis got to meet Aunt Karen and Uncle Phil, as well as cousin Brad, his wife Summer and daughter( soon to be BIG sister around Louis' 1st birthday). Summer took this very cute picture of Claire practicing with Louis! Louis also took pictures with Dobell, and played with his Uncles ( Kyle, Cole and Joel). Everyone was loving how interactive he was and his wonderful little laughs!

We ended the Christmas holiday journey in Scott back at the Broussard grandparent's home. Louis got to see his Great Granny again, and this time was a happy baby for her! He also got to see his great Aunts on Granna's side of the family and their children. He also played with his Aunt Kaitlin and Aunt Renee. He put his hand on Renee's belly, and we all said he was telling cousin Brae ( due end of Jan) to come out and play already. He also enjoyed seeing the rest of his Aunts and Uncles. Uncle Blake (Parran) and Aunt Hannah got Louis geared up for the Saints with a new Saints outfit and a BREES jersey! Jared was pretty jealous he got a jersey before he has one! Somehow Granna and Pawpaw Broussard escaped my camera! As well as Uncle Sean, Uncle Blake and Uncle David! I will try harder next time!

In all Louis had a fantastic blessed Christmas full of love! I even told Santa just to skip us this year and come next year. He got more than enough toys from family. Some other gifts he got were a DVD player for the car from Dobell, Kyle and Cole gave him their favorite movies ( The Sandlot and The Lion King...I loved this idea!), other DVDs ( Christmas Classic cartoons, Sesame street, and something else), Deb and Uncle Joel also gave him a recordable book for my mama to do, music table/money and LSU shirt from Ma Gina and Pawpaw Danny, musical ball that rolls from Aunt Renee and Uncle David, cute stuffed animal with a story inside from Uncle Sean, car steering wheel with sound from Granna and Pawpaw, giftcards, books, and more items I just cant' remember it all right now and what they gave him!

I really can't wait until next Christmas to see his excitement looking at a tree, opening gifts, and sharing Christmas with family, esp his cousin Brae....they are going to be so cute next year!

4 Months & First Santa

2011-12-11T12:26:00.002-05:00

Our little man continues to grow! We go Monday for his 4 month follow up. (UPDATE HE WEIGHED 17LBS AND WAS 25 INCHES LONG!)

He is now tolerating tummy time much better. He is holding his head up at 90 degrees. He hasn't done a full roll yet though. He will roll to his side when he is laying on his back. He hasn't figured out the roll from his tummy yet. He usually gets frustrated and buries his head into whatever he is laying.

He continues to be a very happy baby and laughs even more little gut laughs then before. Sometimes I swear he laughs at his self . He started watching football more intently this month and was able to enjoy the last few games of LSU's perfect season.

He also did his first Turkey Trot with us! We only did the 1 mile walk this year, because I was pretty sure he wouldn't make the 5 mile without getting fussy.

We have continued to read this month. I am hoping we get some new books from Santa and family. We have some Christmas books to read for the next month! Here is what we have been reading this month:

I think we read 1-2 more but I can't recall. Most of the past few readings have been from the bible. He got 2 bibles for his Baptism. I saving the other one for him to read on his own when he gets older.

We have continued our Jack pictures. I think I will do them weekly for the first year. Anyway, enjoy this months selection below:

Yesterday he went and saw Santa for the first time. I went early and was very thankful. About time he got up to Santa he was ready for some sleep. The last shot of the day he buried his head in Santa's beard! We got some really cute shots with no crying baby! YAY!

It has been a fun month with Louis. We have enjoyed is ever emerging little personality. I will update his new weight and length Monday evening after his appointment!

I have not revealed our Christmas card yet, but here are a few cute ones of Louis by the tree! All pictures from this month can be found HERE!

First Thanksgiving

2011-12-03T01:26:00.001-05:00

One year ago on 11-29-10, the day after Thanksgiving I posted this to this blog to mark an event in our lives:

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Smile

Today is Tuesday! Yay!

Happy Day!

I had taken a pregnancy test that evening that had confirmed my crummy feelings the day before during the Turkey Trot and my lack of Thanksgiving Day appetite.

Now one year later those 2 little pink lines is a smiling baby boy. I did the Turkey Trot again this year, but only a 1 mile VS 5, and instead of a baby growing in my belly, he was with me in his stroller ( next year I hope we can do the 5 mile together with the jogging stroller)!

He was such a good boy! He never cried the whole trip to downtown or during the walk! I was so proud of him! It was his first trip downtown!

This was only Jared's second Trot, but out FIRST family event!

We had even more to be thankful for this year. Thanksgiving of 2010 changed our lives forever, and for the rest of my life Thanksgiving will have even more meaning to me.

Now the Christmas season is starting, and I can't believe we have a son. I am now going to be one of those parents waiting in line for his FIRST Santa picture, and many Santa pictures to come in years. This will be our last "cheap" Christmas.

I am also reminded of something my Mama wrote in my baby book for my first Christmas: She wrote " You make Christmas fun again." I think I know even more now what exactly she meant when she wrote those words.

Baptism & 3 months

2011-11-12T14:04:00.000-05:00

I swear these months fly by so fast! Louis continues to grow and meet his milestones. He is now picking up his head well in prone, and has better head control when you give him support. Louis is also enjoying the bumbo seat more, and the jumperoo.

My most favorite thing is now he is really laughing, like little gut laughs. Since 8 weeks he has been fighting a cold. So this month we have went to Dr. Halden 2 times for the cold. He weighed in at 16 pounds this past week. He is on his second antibiotic and is sounding better.

And although our little man is only 3 months old he is now wearing 3-6 and 6 month clothing! Only a few 6 month outfits don't fit due to long legs and arms! He loves for you to sing to him, and each day has a long talks with me and/or Jared. He has had some cute notes from school ( one holding a girl's hand while sitting in the bumbo, and having some chat time with a classmate while in the bumbo).

And we have continued the weekly pictures, which I am sure many of you have seen via FB. So here are the 9 week to 13 weeks ( 3 months) pictures!

Louis had fun little facts for his 13 week and 3 month old days. On 11-10-11 he was 13 weeks ( length of boot camp for USMC) and it was the USMC Birthday ( his pawpaw and daddy are Marines). Then he turned 3 months on 11-11-11 which was Veteran's Day!

We continue to read when we can to him at night. I will admit this month wasn't as good as last month, but I did get some books in for him! He got some books and 2 bibles for his Baptism so we have those to start over the next month. Anyway, here are the books we covered this month:

by Kate Toms

He always laughs at this one. He laughs when we say LULU and the page that has the pigs on it!

Lastly, Louis was Baptized this month on 10-29-11. His Godmother is Becky Christofferson and his Godfather is Blake Broussard. We had a really nice visit home and the Baptism and after party were wonderful. Only Pawpaw Danny could not make the festivities due to be hospitalized for some unknown internal bleeding. But we did go see him at the hospital the next day! Louis slept throughout the whole mass, and took a bottle through most of the Baptism. He was a good baby and didn't cry! Father Cleo said the all the babies were good that day! For the trip home I bought Louis a travel swing. I had got it at Mr. Target at a closeout price of 45 dollars. It has been well used since the purchase! Louis loves to swing and how he likes to go to sleep at times, and I think helps him after a long day of playing pass da baby!

Here are a few of the Baptism Day shots. You can see them all in the FB albums I will list below. I had to take separate nice pictures of him in his outfit because we forgot to do it the day of with all the excitement! The shall was part of my wedding dress!

FB albums

3 Months Part one
3 Months Part Two
Baptism 1
Baptism 2
Baptism 3

In closing, Louis stayed awake the longest for the LSU VS Alabama game than any other game thus far in his life. Sorry for the long post, but it's been a busy month! Mama even got her new FT job at the end of the month!

Who really designs for J. Lo at Kohl's?

2011-10-20T22:26:00.000-04:00

J. Lo is somewhat a fuller figured chick, right? She advertises she has a big booty, etc. She has had children too, so you would think her clothing line would have some thought in account for the average shaped woman or those with little more curves.

Umm NO

I was disappointed. I did not enjoy the 2 hour shopping trip to Kohls. I found the clothing sold there was made smaller than the stuff I usually get a Macy's or Dillard's. It reminded me of Target.

Don't get me wrong I have a little extra love on right now thanks to baby boy, but not that much! I am back to wearing some of my pre-baby cloths( and they are NOT that tight)! I mean more than anything the boobs are bigger due to breastfeeding.

I did find something. It's ok cute, and will do for the deal.

But J. Lo., design your own stuff and really wear it, cause that was just terrible.

2 Months

2011-10-19T23:23:00.000-04:00

I completely forgot to do a little post for Louis' 2 month birthday last week.

He is now 14 lbs , 12 oz and is 24 inches long. He is above the 50 percentile for his size and weight for his age. Another words my baby boy is getting too damn big!

He will be getting baptized at the end of this month and closer to his 3 month birthday. A week ago I took him to a local church to take some pumpkin/Fall pictures. He was so patient and good for mama.

Some people said he looked like a HOBO here! So I said I guess we found his Halloween costume. Cutest hobo I have ever seen in Austin!

He also started daycare at 2 months, and is doing well. He only had one day of bad poops, but it was the day after the 2 month shots ( that he did NOT like!). He didn't have any reactions to the shots and came home and slept most of that day.

What are the new things he is doing at 2 months? His laughs are getting much louder and meaningful. He laughs the best with his daddy. I have missed the good gut laughs, but I did catch a few on video.

As mentioned in the previous post we are getting better with the backseat blues. This week we did have to add the nuni. Mama is getting better at reaching back to return it to his mouth! He is also getting better at holding his head up and controlling his head ( although it is not perfect yet). To get better tummy time I went buy him a new play mat. This can fold up the sides which helps keep jealous brothers from crashing the party. Although one of them stole the stuffed musical part on day one before Louis got to play in it and drug it outside in the dirt. They thought it was for them I guess. Siblings.

Louis has also starting taking the pacifier at naps and bedtimes. This has been a blessing for all of us. I think he would take to thumb sucking too, but he hasn't problem solved how to extend his thumb and suck. He LOVES to talk ( must have got that from ME!). He has many conversations with Mama and Daddy. Sometimes he says some serious things ( heavy brows and all) in a deep voice. He has also done a few Skype session with his Great Grandmother, Dobell. I know he hears her, but I don't think he has figured out to look at the computer picture yet.

Right now Louis favorite hobby is swinging. We also have been trying to read to him at night before bed.
Here are the books we have done thus far:

I have also tried 2 carriers with Louis. He at first mostly loved the Moby, and mama did too because it helped me get shopping done! But now he is starting to like the Ergo more or do better in the Ergo. I am liking the Ergo more too since he is getting heavier ( stretches the Moby out). We also started taking walks around the neighborhood, and hopefully do more of these in the coming months since the triple digits have calmed down.

It has been another fun, loving and growing month with Louis. Like his Nanny Granny Annie says, Jack better watch out!

FB album 1

FB album 2

We can't wait to see what the next month brings ( besides more pounds and inches)!

Boogers and Back Seat Blues

2011-10-13T18:57:00.001-04:00

I wanted to share to mommies and mommies to be 2 products that I have recently tried with Louis that have made him and me happier!

Louis for his second month birthday got the sniffles. As with all children that means nasty little baby boogers! So what do most mama's use for such an occasion?

Something all babies that I have known have dreaded ( scream/cry)... the nasal aspirator! My son is no different. Only about 20% of the time did he not scream. Before he was born and I did my baby registry, I had registered for a product I had read about called the NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator. I did not get it as a gift, but no surprise there because it is a weird looking thing and something out of the norm for most people, and also a buy online only item with BRUS.

Basically this works by the parent using their own suction power to get those nasty boogers! I eyed it again online due to Louis' nose and thought I should order it and give it a try for him. Lucky for us both on a trip to Buy Buy Baby to get a humidifier, there they were for all to see and buy! It does cost a little more than the average aspirator, and when you look at what you get for it, you may think it is overpriced.

GET IT ANYWAY! No longer does Louis SCREAM to clean his nose! And in the end I have a happy smiling and cooing baby because he can breathe ( and probably thinks mama is crazy making those sounds and sucking stuff out of his nose)! It has a small filter that they say to change each time you use it. I have not done so ( and a a few reviews I read others have not either). The filter could probably be leaned with hot soapy water and dried. I think the company probably does this for their own protection..in health care we label it CYA ( cover YOUR ass). After all, you know SOMEONE out there would wanna sue that a product made their baby sicker or get sick.

And for the record, none of his snot rockets have made it up to the filter, and I have not eaten any boogers ( besides only GATORS EAT BOOGERS and we are TIGERS).

Product number two was for the Back Seat Blues. Louis is usually happy in the mornings now when I bring him to daycare, and coos little ditty in his car seat. However, for evening rides and rides over 15 mins he would start crying then scream crying. I looked on some Mama boards and saw we were not alone, and I had already tried some things they had to make him be happy. The only ones I had not tried was putting down the window for noise affect (fail when I did try it) and go ahead and putting him in a convertible seat ( oh no, he is OS not ready for that big of a seat). I had braced myself that it was going to be a long few months until he grew out of this or even longer until he could face forward..YIKES! Then on that same trip to Buy Buy Baby I saw this little gem:

This folks is a small 3-1 mobile (made by TIny Love) that can be used on a car seat, stroller, and portable crib. I wasn't able to get it that day, but went back by the weekend to pick it up! Louis LOVES his mobile in his bed so I thought maybe this will work. Now, his crying has not completely stopped, but we have went from SCREAMING to a few fussy wines! He has even went to sleep a few times! This mama has not been so happy about a product. It makes driving easier for me, and Louis' blues a little less blue!

One last thing, if you have a Buy Buy Baby near you check it out! I love it compared to BRUS! They are with Bed, Bath & Beyond. They only have a few stores nationwide. I think if they had more they could give BRUS a run for their money..EASY. They are far better staffed and organized ( yes like the bath store only BABY stuff) than BRUS!

That's all I have folks! Hope you find the info useful!

Monkeys Throw Poop...and Louis does too?

2011-09-28T20:44:00.001-04:00

So many of you have heard the joke about going to the zoo and being careful as to not piss the monkeys off because they will throw their feces at you! I often tell Louis he is my little monkey because of all the little monkey coos/sounds he makes when he talks to me ( plus I love monkeys and Louis' room is full of them!).

So what does monkey poop and Louis have in common?

Our first week home Jared was changing Louis' diaper on the changing table on the Graco pack & play. My grandmother and me were watching, and all of a sudden hear "blllpphhhh" ( from lil man's butt) and see Jared jumping up and down and dancing around a bit saying " NO NO NO...OH Man...it shot everywhere!" We were laughing so hard. It was such a funny and cute father's first moment. I even put it in his baby book. Poor baby had passed gas and poop had shot straight out and went vertical and almost hit the floor.

Fast forward to the end of August ( he is almost 4 weeks old) and we make our first trip to Louisiana with Louis. The last day and a half we stayed at Jared's parents house. By this time we were all tired and ready to go home ( it can be exhausting visiting so many people at once!). I managed to catch some Zs Labor Day morning on the sofa. I am awakened by the sound of my father-in-law cracking up and Jared's famous saying again as though something dirty just happened. I didn't even have to look at my FIL to know he was laughing so hard he was crying ( and this doesn't happen often).

I go to see what happened, but before I can I hear my FIL telling my MIL that Jared was changing Louis on the floor and again he had projectile poop and it was all over Jared and some on the floor. My FIL kept laughing for the next 3 hours every time he thought about it. He stated it was such a "priceless" father moment.

Fast forward again to last week to me changing Louis' diaper on the pack & play changing table in our room. I must be smart or something, but i stand on the side when I do this dirty duty. So I am almost done changing and again I hear " bppphhh" and i see a few drops of poop, and I say " Oh Louis, I had just cleaned you Buddy!", and then I see that there is a trail and I look to my bed and behold my monkey has had projectile poop again and it went on my sheets! All I could do was laugh, and think about writing this silly little blog about my monkey throwing his poop!

So if you ever babysit Louis don't ever tell me I didn't warn you!

My Mama told me you better shop around!

2011-09-26T08:46:00.000-04:00

The older I get and the more bills that get added to my life I find myself looking more for the most bang for my buck ( because things are also getting MORE expensive these days)!

As posted earlier I am nursing Louis which means I often have sore and at times leaky boobs! Yes, the beautiful side of nursing a baby. Thus, I had purchased these breast pads for my nursing tanks and bras. As you can see they are somewhat pricey. I bought the first box BRUS and the second box from Walgreen's. This shows a 36 count box, but I had 60 count boxes that cost about 10 bucks.

Last week I started to run out of these wonderful little pads, and for whatever reason I decided to checkout AMAZON.COM to see if they were CHEAPER! Well was I shocked. I could get not one or two but FOUR boxes for a little over 20 dollars with FREE shipping! Now when I opened them once they arrived I realized my last box had been the ultra plush and these were not. I was concerned it may not be as comfortable, but to my surprise there was not much difference ( and trust me I would have felt the difference!). I almost liked these better because they were not as plush ( but still confy) and did not bunch up as much or show through the shirt ( as the box advertises). Also for whatever reason the sticky stuff on the back of this type was better than the ultra plush.

So ladies who are nursing..order form AMAZON and save some money!

Also a thought that cam to mind about these. You know how sometimes you have a dress or shirt that for whatever reason you don't want to or the design doesn't permit a bra? SO usually then end up at Victoria's Secret paying way too much for the stickers to stick on your boobs so that your nipples don't show. Well I think these could be used for that too! Like I said they don't show, they are comfortable, and probably half the price of those expensive Victoria's stickers that usually only come a few to a box!

Anyway, that's my silly mom tip of the day!

Happy baby jealous brothers

2011-09-15T11:51:00.000-04:00

Sleepy babu listens Uncle Sean

2011-09-14T16:01:00.001-04:00

First 30 Days: LAB

2011-09-13T18:45:00.013-04:00

It's hard to believe it'a already been 30 days since Louis was born and we became parents in this moment:

Our little angel covered in poop ( ie meconium)! The first thing I heard was his cry and then I saw his big feet and hands! I also got to watch Jared go crazy with the camera and be in awe of his son.

On August 11, 2011 he was born at 11:52am. He weighed 7 lbs and was 19 inches long. We were a happy family!

We stayed the required 3 days on the hospital. We were visited by Jared's parents and my parents ( even my Daddy made a late day last minute drive to meet hom...nice surprise!), as well as Aunt Debbie and Great Grandmother Lou "Dobell" ( who also so kindly stayed with us for the first 2 weeks...thanks for the help!). We also had multiple friends from Austin come by to meet Louis at the hospital.

Going home was an exciting day! Although Louis' outfit was a little big for him. It said newborn, but fit more like 3 months! He also had on a pair on white and yellow shoes that were mine when I was a baby. He was so tiny and so handsome!

First week home was a challenge for all of us ( including the 4 legged brothers!). We all had to learn about each other and new rules of the house....oh and the new sleeping patterns. I was healing and needed the help from Jared and my grandmother. Buddy and Potter loved Louis right away and wanted to lick his head and whatever else allowed to give him kisses. Potter didn't like to hear him cry ( and still doesn't) and would check on him. Potter still makes sure he knows were Louis is located in a room and if he is doing ok...it is really sweet. I have posted numerous pictures on FACEBOOK for the first month.

I did take Louis' picture each week with the ape Jack that was also mine when I was a little girl and I have now given to Louis. This series of photos have been very entertaining!

I have tried to document as many "firsts" and little important little things as possible. Again these pictures can be found in the facebook album above. His first big trip was to Louisiana. He met his step-mawmaw, great grandparents, great aunts/uncles, and aunts/uncles. He was passed to so many arms. He was so tired at the end of each day! He also had his first LSU game day and had 3 outfits for that! Photos of the visit can be seen in THIS album! He has many 4 generations pictures! One important person he met was the man that gave him his first name, my Papa Louis AKA Papa Lou. It was such a sweet moment. Here are 2 of my favorite photos( ok so 3)!

It took him 3 days after getting home to get back to normal. His schedule had been messed up with the trip. Today he went to his pedi for the 1 month visit. Louis now weighs 11.5 lbs, 22 inches long and a head circumference of 15.5 inches. He is getting to be a big boy! Everyone is Louisiana calls each week to ask about him and look on Facebook for new photos EVERYDAY! He even had his first Skype call with Great Grandmother Dobell this week!

It has been so fun, tiring and exciting to have Louis. Some days it makes me sad that relatives that have passed away are not here for me to see them enjoy him. But I try to console myself that they help pick him to send to me and Jared. Louis is becoming more and more interactive each day. He coos and laughs at us. I tell him he makes monkey noises, and he sounds like a rooting puppy when he is getting ready to feed!

We have also picked his god parents ( Blake-Jared's brother and Becky-my friend from college AKA adopted sister). He will be hopefully baptized the last weekend in October.

We are so blessed to have Louis. I still look at him in amazement some days that he is my kiddo, and part me and part Jared. Life is amazing!

Sorry for the long blog. I will try to be better posting smaller snippets of Baby Lou (or Babu as Dobell calls him!).

Louis Video x2

2011-08-20T14:00:00.003-04:00

Ok so my video skills are not the greatest on the tablet, but it is usually what I have next to me when I want to do a video! I had/have planned on using my cannon for little video clips...but such is life it hasn't happened!

So enjoy these cute little videos of Louis. I wish I could find a program for the tablet with zoom in the video, because right now it only has a very zoomed in view.

Breast feeding pillows

2011-08-19T00:43:00.002-04:00

I should totally be sleeping right now, but I had to write a small blog about these little pillows.

While I was pregnant I asked other friends and message boards for advice on multiple baby items. I even often had advice given about certain products. One of these products were breast feeding pillows.

A majority of ladies seem to like/have the Boppy pillow. I had also seen multiple cute babies laying in one in pictures on facebook. So of course I added this to my baby registry and got it at my baby shower as a gift.

A little later in my pregnancy a friend from college , Pam (read her mommy blog), told me about the Brest Friend Pillow ( and yes many have commented on the bad name of the product). She told me that this little pillow was amazing, allowed you to be hands free and to bring it to the hospital with me!

I did a little more research on the Brest pillow and women seemed to love it. I didn't get it as a gift so I went out and bought a lovely deluxe one in the mint green color. I added to the pile of things to go to the hospital.

After having Louis I did not have this pillow for the first 36 hours or so. Positioning with a sore abdominal region and laying in hospital bed was not fun for breast feeding and I often had to use both hands to position his body and work on my body positioning for good latching ( and then sit and readjust as needed for 15-30 minutes at a time...tiring).

Jared was finally able to get time to go to the car once the family made it in Friday and brought the pillow to the room. Breast feeding got so much easier! The pillow helped position Louis' body in a good position so all I had to focus on was my position to him and getting him latched on for feeding. Once set up we were good and I was hands free with only a few times needing to readjust! Money well spent!

Since I have been home I have kind of been using both pillows. Due to me having a c-section and having some tenderness at times with the abdominal region sometimes the boppy is more comfortable. Also because Louis is small it feels like sometimes he fits better on the Boppy. I would have to say overall I enjoy the Brest pillow more. It allows more freedom to complete other tasks while feeding. You can also stand and walk around with it because it goes all around the body and is strapped in place! It is nice not having to be completely tied down to a chair!

I do think the Boppy is a nice pillow and great for positioning baby on the other way to sit them in an upright position. It can also be a relief on days you are a little more sore than usual from a c-section.

I just bought my freestyle breast pump. Once I get to using it I will post on how that works out!

OH and today is Louis' one week birthday! We all made it! We love him so much, and he so far is an awesome baby. I am hoping out luck doesn't run out!

Louis cam test

2011-08-17T00:40:00.002-04:00

Louis' Journey from womb to world

2011-08-15T16:20:00.008-04:00

Louis arrived on Thursday August 11, 2011 at 11:52 am weighing 7 pounds and measuring 19 inches..THE END!

I'm kidding.

I went in to my OB on Monday August 8th and I had still had not dilated and Louis had not dropped. I was then scheduled to go to the hospital on Wed evening to have a drug applied to my cervix to help it "soften" and start the labor process by hopefully getting my cervix to dilate to 2 cm.The following Thurs morning they would start the pitocin drip.

The night before I did research on the drug used to soften the cervix and outcomes. And it was all a toss up as it what it would do for my labor process. There were also different forms for these drugs: a gel, tampon type of thing and a pill.

All day Wed I tried to deal with the nerves waiting for the evening the come. I turned on spotify and listened to Stevie Wonder all day and took care of things around the house. Jared's parents made it in from Louisiana a few hours before we had to leave for the hospital.

We got to the hospital a little early and checked in and got to our labor room. I ended up having the tampon type form of the medicine ( rather flat looking thing with a string). And I will tell you if it were a real tampon it isn't one I would buy again, not comfortable at all! Anyway, I had this in by 6pm and with in the hour I begin to have some small contractions.

By the midnight hour I was feeling a little bit stronger contractions. The first few hours I didn't feel them at all. With the stronger contractions also came complications with Louis. With each contraction he would have a drop in HR after it was completed. However he didn't do this consistently it was one minute good and the next minute not. I was also hating the hospital bed. For some reason it had a gap near the bottom of it, which when forced to lay on your side for hours can be an issue not help in being comfortable. That tampon didn't feel so great either.

I had to be checked of course numerous times and the lovely meds of the tampon made this more fun. I think that was more painful than the contractions I had shortly before the epidural. I am pretty sure I told my ob to "get out" during one of those sessions. They then started the pitocin 6am on Thursday. So of course the contractions were stronger, but at least more consistent than than the ones during the night (ranging from 1-4 minutes and varying times apart).

Before all the labor people would ask if I was going to get an epidural or not. I was not totally against or for it either way. I was going to try without if I could, but get it if I couldn't do it. I will never know probably if I can/could have done the natural child labor. Due to the complications with Louis with contractions I was not allowed to walk around, use the shower, or use the ball. I would feel better when allowed to go to the bathroom. Before they told me they were going to proceed with the c-section I was already thinking about it in my own head. Only being able to lay on your left or right side for hours at a time while in pain and with the possibility of having to stay that way for 12+ hours to deliver a baby sounded like hell to me when all I wanted to do was MOVE!

So needless to say I got the epidural which did help, but within the hour my doctor had decided on the c-section because Louis stress with the contractions was not improving and I was only a little over 2cm. At 11ish I was rolled to the surgery room. Getting a c-section was just weird. A surgery room is so unwarming and when laying there like a piece of meat unable to see your bare body being exposed to all these people who are walking around having general conversation as you await your surgery...you just feel STRANGE. I think being awake in that situation made me feel more anxious then the thought of being "cut" open. Which I felt NOTHING during the section. I barely felt the pressure of Louis getting taken out of the womb.

I think the most amazing sound was hearing his little cry right after he was taken out and then seeing his big feet and hands on the baby cradle minutes later. I couldn't cry. It was too exciting and beautiful of a moment to finally see the little bump that had been dancing in my belly days before, and seeing my husband's face change in front of me from not being a dad to being a dad and not being able to take his eye or the camera off of his son.

It was a great day. By the end I was tired as hell, and looked like it with nappy hair and all. I managed to give Louis his first feeding in the recovery room. I slept most of the rest of the day. I did get a very surprising visit form my Daddy who drove in 7 hours to visit Louis for a few hours only to have to leave again to be at work the next day.

Friday my mom, grandmother and Aunt joined my in-laws in loving on Louis. He was also visited by his Aunties Alicia, Meredith, Whitney, Lauren and Heather. Whitney's brother Jeff also came, as well as Jared's friends Josh and Mike.

We are so blessed to have Louis. And can't wait to continue to share funnny stories and moments we will have with him!

PS I apologize if any of this was TMI for some of you!

More photos can be seen in the FACEBOOK ALBUM!

If my son ever acts so disrespectful like you. He will be black and blue!

2011-07-26T19:27:00.003-04:00

So I had ( what I will call) a senior moment today. And I am not talking about a poor short term memory or needing to wear briefs.

It was one of the moments where I wasn't going to give a damn about what society thought was "normal" today, and I was going to speak my mind to make the world a better place.

I know you are wondering what the hell I am talking about.

Here is the story:

After work today I stopped by the local HEB ( local Texas large chair store) for groceries. I park my car where I always park ( ok maybe this is somewhat something a senior would do too)and I exit my car.

The first thing I hear after shutting my door " MOVE BITCH GET OUT WAY, GET AWAY BITCH...MOVE BITCH." Now I have enjoyed this song a few times myself. However, there were would looked to be at least 3-4 children ( I would call them little assholes though) sitting in the back of a large double cab Ford with the windows down SCREAMING this at the top of their little lungs with the radio at full volume.

I look around and see actually 2 senior men, one 2 cars down from me and one very near their car. I was DISGUSTED! I don't care if they sing the song, but they were purposely making a scene to get attention. At this point I was disappointed.

I begin tracking my way to the store. I hear them saying things like " Get is Grandpa." I almost LOST it! They were then finding other people in the parking lot to harass..look at that lady..blablabla.

I had to force myself to enter the store and not go over to the truck. I had heard one more " Old Man" comment before entering.

I had full intention of going tell the little ungrateful shits what I thought of them. It is fine to sing the song, but don't insult your elders or the peace!

But I figured I didn't need to start any fights in the HEB parking lot and put myself or Louis in danger or get charges pressed against me for telling the little ungrateful kids off ( you know in today's world it would happen).

Anyway, if I EVER see or hear my son do something like that...may God bless him and he better pray I don't kill him.

PS These were also some very white little children. Made it even worse because they had bad timing and couldn't sing well either]

Link to snip of the song if you never heard it:

Payback sometimes sucks...

2011-07-15T21:35:00.001-04:00

So I am always giving Jared a hard time about crying when he sees little girls cry on TV, and usually crack up laughing when it happens while watching a movie with him.

Since I am all preggers and emotionally crazy right now he has got me a few time, but not bad. So today he tells me to come watch this, and had paused the TV for me.

Not only did I cry. It was like the explosive cry that goes to laughing. I told him I couldn't watch it! It wasn't that it was a death sad, it was so sweet and heartbreaking sad. The kid is so cute, and when the baseball coach told the story of him putting his little hat down and about the tears....oh good grief....BOOM came the tears and the explosiveness.

Jared got a good laugh like I usually do at him. Check.

I will get him back I swear!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/Family/rare-disease-body-age-rapidly-stop-boy-playing/story?id=14029162

It's the simple things in life..........

2011-04-03T10:30:00.001-04:00

This was on CBS Morning News this morning. A story about a man and a goose. Watch the VIDEO!

In Memory of my Great Uncle Lawrence

2011-03-29T22:15:00.001-04:00

Lawrence Joseph Sanchez Sr.

| Visit Guest Book

Lawrence Joseph Sanchez Sr., a welder and pipe fitter and founder of Local 102, passed away Monday, March 28, 2011, at Plaquemine Caring Nursing Home. He was 88, a resident of Addis and a native of White Castle. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and recipient of the Purple Heart. He served as a cannoneer 844 in the 5th Armored Division in its campaigns in the Northern France, the Ardennes, Central Europe, and the Rhineland. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Addis. Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, on Wednesday, March 30, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday, March 31, from 10 a.m. until Rite of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. Interment in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church Cemetery, White Castle. He was the husband of the late Virginia Chambless Sanchez, father of the late Lawrence J. Sanchez Jr., father-in-law of Doris Griffin Sanchez, father of Linda S. Favron, father-in-law of the late Oniel J. Favron Jr., grandfather of Lawrence III, Ryan, Robert, Mark, Barry, Billy, Oniel and Darnell, great-grandfather of Baret, Brant, Hunter, James, Kristen, Ryan, Shane, Kimberly, Destiny, Addison, Christian, Morgan, Lexi, Richard, Brittany and Riana, and brother of Louis and Kenneth Sanchez, Milda Richbourg, Elnora Daigle and Hilda Delapasse. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other family members. Preceded in death by his parents, Albert "T-Bear" and Alice Raffray Sanchez; sisters, Delta Thomas, Vera Smith, Mildred Durring and Vernese Longo; and brothers, Herby, Shelby, Irvin, Harry, Dudley, Clifton and Chilton Sanchez. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was loved dearly and will be missed by many.

Louis Anthony Broussard!

2011-03-26T22:45:00.010-04:00

It's a boy! So on Thursday we went for our anatomy screen and hid our eyes when they did the sex for the baby. He was 14 ounces and had a heartbeat of 150. For dinner we went to Sao Paulo's next to the UT campus. My coworkers ( Alicia, Meredith and Victoriya) joined us for the dessert. I had already given the waiter the football and ladybug decors as well as the card with boy or girl circled and with the sonogram picture. My coworkers had brought balloons (congrats, it's a boy, it's a girl). Below is the picture before we found out.

Our Yummy Tres Leches cake

This was me just seeing a ladybug and not that the football was still on the cake!
After we found out!
Proud "Aunties" Alicia (dreamed it was a girl) & Meredith ( KNEW it was BOY)!

The balloons from the co-workers.

Set-up used for my Mama, Daddy/Gina and the Tulliers

Happy Mawmaw Ann & her neighbor Darlene.

Enjoy the full video below. After we enjoyed a concert by the SF Jazz...great night. I have also included videos of other responses. My mama would not let me video her, but I did get a picture. She jumped up and down and was SOOO glad she had her boy..I should have did a video anyway. My step mom was confused when I took the ladybug off and thought it was a girl at first...hehe. My cousin Cole was so excited he couldn't look up, even after I revealed it was a boy..his mama had ot make him look up. The girlfriends were excited, esp Jill because she said SHE KNEW it was a BOY! Jared's mom and dad were great! Jared skyped with from Austin! Mr. Geary was all teared up!

Sometimes....

2011-03-08T21:42:00.002-05:00

It is amazing how one day can make me feel so crazy, angry, negative, and tired.

I wish I had my own private mountain I could stand on to scream and cry out all of my frustration.

Small post about Mardi Gras at home to come later. But for now, this is my mountain.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

UUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Happy Birthday Mawmaw ;-(

2011-03-03T22:08:00.003-05:00

So today was my Mawmaw Mary's birthday. I miss her dearly everyday. I sweat being pregnant has made it worse. On my most emotional days I want her here so I can celebrate with her. She was another mother to me, and I mean another mother. But I was not sad today. I tried to think of all the things I am blessed for in life, and how happy I know she is looking down on me from Heaven.

That being said, there was some news today that I just heard. News that brings up pain and heartbreak for our family. Without a doubt this incident in 1998 has forever changed my family, and for some not really for the better. I have no doubt this is part of the reason my grandmother passed away so soon. She was one of the strongest women I ever knew, but the heartbreak this brought her was so unfair. Many in my family wanted to blame on her and said she many of these things. I was there, she didn't know the half of it. And what she did know was no more that what the rest of the family should have known. I think they all hold a little guilt.

I hated to tell my family what I knew of my grandfather's illness. I never wanted to tell them for as long as I lived. I had forgiven him when I was almost 11 years old. I didn't want to tell, not to protect him, but to protect my family member's. I didn't want to see the pain, agony, and suffering, but in the end that's exactly what I saw in 1998. To this day, my family suffers and some are still unable to come to grips with it all.

This is why I am so sad and mad this news comes out on my grandmother's birthday. She wouldn't want us to be sad or have to relive it all. Mawmaw supported Pawpaw without a doubt for better and for worse as best as she could, and at the same time trying to take care of herself and family. I don't think I will ever have someone like her again in my life, she is irreplaceable.

WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LA (WAFB) - A convicted sex offender was set free after serving only half his sentence, but there was catch: he had to be castrated first.

Francis Tullier, 78, was accused of sexually molesting six people back in the 1970's and 1980's.

He pled guilty in 1999 to three counts of molesting a juvenile. As part of the plea deal, he agreed to be castrated.

The operation was performed Thursday.

"I hope it would be a deterrent for sex offenders and I hope maybe we could explore this more often in sex offender cases," said Major Richie Johnson with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office.

Tullier was scheduled to be released from prison in 2024. 9 News has been told he will be living somewhere in Iberville Parish.

What disturbs me even more, is that this face looks nothing like the grandfather I knew. I haven't seen him since 1999/2000

The King's Speech

2011-02-12T08:44:00.002-05:00

Last night the Broussard family went to the Alamo to see this great film! I loved it so much. I think being a therapist I enjoyed it even more. This movie shows how teachers/therapists develop a close friendship with clients, and how sometimes you have to push buttons for clients to see their own talent/gains/possibilities within themselves. I had many moments where I wanted to be tearful.

Anyway, I hope this movie wins all the awards it is nominated to receive. If you haven't seen it you should se eit now or wait for DVD, but just don't not watch the movie!

Happy 31 to Me!

2011-02-01T20:39:00.002-05:00

I wonder what this new year of life will bring? My 30 year was a wonderful one. I ran my first 1/2 marathon and got even more comfortable in my skin. I was also in one of the greatest cities there is to live in in the lower 48 (hehe). I got pregnant for my first baby that I will have during this 31st year. I celebrated my 1 year anniversary and got a second furry baby Potter. I also got a new car!

Austin this year is giving me some cold as weather for my birthday. My last cool birthday was in 2004 in Anchorage, Alaska. That was one of my best birthdays in my life. Yes, one reason it was in Anchor town, but also it was such a night of youth and excitement. I was surrounded all night by some wonderful sisters! Here are the temps in Alaska that day HERE.

And here are the Texas temps for today! The wind is what makes the actual temp here lower. This is a city full of wind!

Anyway, I look forward to the new year and all the surprises. Here is the link to my best birthday on FACEBOOK!

Damn Sunday Morning news!

2011-01-24T21:56:00.003-05:00

So every Sunday morning we usually watch the Sunday Morning show on CBS think ( the one with the sun as the logo).

Anyway, this week they did a story on Alzheimer's. After working in a rehab/nursing home and watching my step-mother's grandmother battle the disease I have a soft spot in my heart for families that battle and lose their loved ones.

They showed a few stories of people in the later stages, a woman who was diagnosed at age 52 in the early stages, and a few more. Then to close the story the reporter reports in his own wife. He had to have her in an assisted living because he was no longer able to care for her. They show him visiting her, and she has no idea that he is her husband. She tells him about a man that she loves, that they do this and that together, and she can't wait to spend more time with him. He knows she is talking about him, and he sits there and cries.

At this point, I am holding my breath and trying not to bawl. Then at the end he talks how he is dating another woman who also lost her husband to the disease, and how no one can judge them unless they have been in the same shoes. He then states how the girl friend calls his wife her friend, and that she knew getting into the relationship it would always be one of three ( again trying NOT to cry).

He closes with that the woman he fell in love with and married is long gone, but that he tries to live each day how his wife would have wanted him too. OH BABY JESUS...LOST IT!

I hit Jared with the book I was reading and told him damn him for letting me watch that. Then while crying I started cracking up at myself for crying, and said " Stupid HORMONES"...then I cried again, laughed, cried and laughed.

Sigh, Jared gave me crap for the rest of the day.

I told him I pray it's a girl in there, and she is going to make him cry so I can laugh.

Had my 12w appointment today. The doctor said the baby is growing great. The heart rate was 158. The baby was doing a head stand today, throwing it's head back and putting it's hands on it's face. Poor baby also had hiccups. Glad I can't feel those yet.

Here is the better ultrasound picture from today. The arrow points to the nose!

LINK TO STORY THAT MADE ME CRY!

First gifts

2011-01-22T14:20:00.004-05:00

The day I told my 2 coworkers ( Alicia and Meredith) they were going to be Aunts was a funny day. The night before Alicia had a dream she was taking care of a baby girl, who was not for her, but she did not know who she belonged to and why she had her. So when I told her the next morning I was preggers, she exclaimed " It's a GIRL!" She believes this to be very true ( I hope she is right!) and she gave Baby Broussard it's very first gift:

My second family, the Tullier family also gave Baby B some gifts at Christmas:

Uncle Blake Broussard and Aunt Hannah ( the next Mrs.!) also gave some cute monkey gear and duck gear as gifts Christmas eve: oh and a storage container

Baby Broussard's Bargain find!

2011-01-22T13:37:00.003-05:00

So a few weeks after we found out the baby I was playing on craigslist and came across an ad I could not pass! For $150 all of these items were listed:

1) Graco Metrolite folding stroller -- $20 ($100 new)
2) Babies R Us Umbrella Stroller -- $5 ($20 new)
3) Safety 1st Bath Chair -- $10 ($60 new)
4) Little Moose Mountain Fire Truck -- $5 ($20 new)
5) Fisher Price Calming Vibrations Rocker -- $5 ($35 new)
6) Graco Snug Rider snap-in stroller -- $10 ($60 new)
7) Even Flo High chair -- $10 ($60 new)
8) Schwinn jogging stroller -- $40 ($160 new)
9) Graco Snug Rider infant car seat with base -- $55 ($140 new)
10) Extra base for Snug Rider car seat -- $10 ($60 new)
11) The First Years portable high chair -- $10 ($60 new)
12) Fisher Price Jumperoo -- $10 ($60 new)
13) Fisher Price Aquarium cradle swing -- $30 ($150 new)

So we called the seller and went look at the items. They all look practically new! Only the one highcahir had some stains. I took it right away! I was so glad to find such nice things for a steal! Below are the listing photos!

Way to go baby B!

I am a King Cake!

2011-01-19T19:30:00.005-05:00

I am sweet and have a small baby in my belly!

So my last post was somewhat silly, but it was to mark the special occasion of Jared and me finding out we were having the first Broussard bambino(SURPRISE)!

So the Thursday before I went and bought a cheap test ( Walgreen's brand). It came out negative, but it was a weird negative. But I thought owell I will get Aunt Flo next week. Then on Tuesday 11-30-10 I went to buy my four legged babies food. Potter has big 30 pound bags of food! So when I picked his up and it hit my belly I had a funny feeling. I knew I had never felt that odd feeling in my belly. Thus my gut made me go right after back to Walgreens and picked up a box of First Response. I took my first test a 5pm, and the first line appeared ASAP and then followed by the second line. I pretty sure my heart fell to my toes and I lost feeling in my hands and said an internal "Oh Shit" and "Wow" at the same time.

Mr. Broussard had a gig that evening at 7pm which meant he would not be home until almost 9pm! He was available to call at 5ish, but I could not tell him that news over the phone..ahha. So I had no one to tell! So I thought about it and decided to call some of my closest friends from High School and college who have babies and tell them the news. Becky, Julie and Jill were all excited, and could not wait for Jared's reaction.

So for the next few hours I didn't know what to do with myself. I called Jared when his gig should have been long over, and he answered and told me he was having a beer with the boys and would be home in about 45 minutes. Well I swear an hour went by and NO HUSBAND! So, I called again and asked if I was going to see him in waking hours and what happened to 45 minutes. I later found out the boys thought I was being a nagging wife, but they totally understood later.

So at about 10ish pm Jared comes home. I tell him I am not feeling well and if he will get me the thermometer off the back of the toilet. So I hurry and get my cell phone ready for recording and my small canon ready for a still shot. I make my way outside the bathroom door ( that is closed) waiting and waiting trying not to laugh. Then the proud papa opens the door looking cute still in his tux saying over and over again " Are you SERIOUS?" He later said life gave him a quick kick in the balls along with a jolt of excitement.

We told our parents the weekend of Dec 4th ( it was my mama's birthday). We went to my first appointment on Dec 1st. I found out I was about 6 weeks, and the due date would be around August 4, 2011. I also found out that my uterus is "heart-shaped" and I will be at risk for pre-mature labor and breach baby.

I have a 12 week follow up on Jan 24th. I went at 10 weeks and we heard the heartbeat! I am also posting the 10 week sonograms I asked for in my last appointment.

I am feeling ok. My nausea is better. I still suffer from serious food aversions. I had lost 5 pounds when I went to my second appointment, but sure I will get it back haha. I didn't want chocolate forever. Just this week it tastes good again and it gives me bad heartburn..go figure.

Oh and please enjoy the video of Jared' priceless response!

Smile

2010-11-30T20:56:00.001-05:00

Today is Tuesday! Yay!

Happy Day!

Turkey + Duck + Chicken = Thanksgiving

2010-11-29T21:36:00.006-05:00

I really wanted to go home for Thanksgiving weekend this year, but due to matters not in my control this was not possible. This year we had a relaxed, small and quiet day all to ourselves and the 4-legged children.

I did the 5 mile Turkey Trot for the second year in a row. Jared chose not to do it this year. So I started the race with Ruth ( friend from LSU).

I really wanted to run more of the race, but due to my hiatus from training, running and working out I am pretty sure I walked 4/5 miles. I took it more to have exercise before eating to many calories.

I told Jared I am starting to think I may need to switch to biking. I really would like to run better, but even when I am training I have had difficulty. I am not ready to give up on it completely. I just don't know impact wise for poor knees and ankles that like to over-pronate even with shoes made for severe over pronation if I am going to have a continuous uphill battle with running.

Anyway, that being said the trot was fun. It was cloudy day, but nice to be outside. I returned home and took the Turducken out of the slow cooker ( it cooked about 6 hours) and put it in the oven for the final hour to brown. It turned out fantastic! We also had boudin to nibble on while we waited the hour.

I am not so much in Christmas spirit yet this year. Jared is bursting at the seems, but he LOVES Christmas ( prob why he proposed Christmas Day morning!) I did have a little flurry of it when we went see a movie lately at one of the outdoor malls here in Austin, called the Domain. Below is a picture of one of the small trees there. Other than that things are calm here in the Broussard home until Christmas.

Oh I almost forgot, Buddy and Potter had Merrick's Thanksgiving dinner (in a can) with a side of pumpkin for their Turkey Day. They were pretty excited!

Run Turkey RUN!

2010-11-24T20:52:00.003-05:00

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I will be attempting the Turkey Trot again this year. I am keeping for fingers crossed for a decent run. So far it is only me and J this year for the holiday. I was unable to go home because of work. But we will get to spend Christmas and New Years at home!

Above is a picture of the Broussards at Halloween. We went as Kitty & Red. I love that I can find authentic 70s clothing at the awesome thrift shops in Austin!

That is my former coworker Hema and my current coworker Meredith. We had a decent time out on 6th. The end of the night was kinda scary with the angry drunks, but my SEXY 70s outfit got us a cab quickly! hahaha

Here is 2 funny pictures from the night....Gay Indian Jesus Last Supper and the Golden Guys!

Here are my Angel and Devil at Dogtoberfest! They were pooped at the end of the day!

Last weekend I went home for the LSU vs Ole Miss football game. I also brought my coworker Alicia to try and fully convert her to a LSU fan! She wasn't happy with all the walking I made her do on the campus. I just like to share a full experience the first time. The game was a crazy Tiger as always. Below are a few shots!

I even ran into my friend Kelly from my Tigerband days! We had a very girly reunion!

I even enjoyed the halftime show. The guy who wrote and sang Vehicle performed with Tigerband. It was one of the trombone section's favorite tunes!

In closing I will leave with a picture from a recent awareness and fundraiser I went to for Pit Bulls put on by the local group in Austin known as Love-a-Bull. Texas is currently pushing for breed specific legislation. It has been shown that BSL DOES NOT decrease dog bites! I also believe this beautiful breed gets a bad reputation for the bad owners that choose to fight them and leave them unsocialized chained/caged up. The guys from Rescue Ink were at the event as well as "Shorty" from the tv show Pit Boss!

PLease go to this link to FIGHT BSL!

Test

2010-11-04T20:23:00.001-04:00

Test one two three

Hey Pumpkin!

2010-10-29T22:34:00.001-04:00

So it’s that time of the year for cavities and slutty costumes! YAY.

OK, so I am enjoying it a little. Last Sunday I carved a pumpkin for the Broussard home at a friend of Jared’s house ( they had a pumpkin carving party!). And I am pretty sure you can figure what I carved into thing. If you can’t I will post a photo below.

At work today we had Halloween Carnival. I would tell you the long story behind my costume, but I will let the picture speak for itself. My co-worker Meredith and me went as MEN. Initially we were just going to be plain men, but after a trip to Saver’s ( kind alike Goodwill but better!) we became so much more after a find on some FANTASTIC shoes! One client went as Meredith’s “girl” date! He was AMAZING! He didn’t shave nothing! hahaha! I would love to show you but Mr. HIPPA won’t allow such fun.

After work today we went for drinks. Meredith looked so much like a COOL dude she had 2 women blushed and maybe confused about what bathroom they were using! But that aside, in Austin people don’t ask or look at you twice when you wear strange things. It is pretty normal around here. People take the slogan KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD..very very literal!

What can I say, I wasn’t being very Halloween creative.

And finally one picture of my babies.

Yearly update?

2010-10-23T22:31:00.001-04:00

That is what my blog appears to have turned into these days.

So I did run that first half marathon way back in Feb 2010. I am signed up for the San Antonio Half Marathon next month, but I have been unable to train do to 2 people resigning at work and my life becoming crazier then I had expected. I still plan on running and need very much so to get back in the groove. Below is my finish in my first half..I was saying “ Go Saints!” (They had just won the Superbowl).

The Broussards continue to enjoy Austin! Jared even did a fun race with me called the Great Urban Race. We went as the “Scrubbin Bubbles'”. We have also had my brother in law and sister in law come to visit. We also enjoyed Lake Travis again this summer with my new coworkers Alicia and Meredith (she REALLY had a nice time..haha).

So we have had Buddy now since June 2007. We finally have added a new baby to the family. We adopted Potter (formerly Harry Potter) from Austin Boxer Rescue. He was a handful those first few days breaking through at least 4 different kennels until we got a 200 buck one that was meant for dogs such as Great Danes. Recently I completed a Therapy Dog training with Potter so he can be Delta tested and certified (hopefully). He then will be able to visit medical places and visit clients (including my work!). Enjoy a few pictures of him below.

It has also been busy for weddings and engagements in the family. Jared’s brother Blake proposed to his girlfriend Hannah and they are set to be married the Saturday after Cinco De May 2011! My daddy and step mom Gina also had their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church in June 18 ( they had a justice of the peace wedding Dec 18 about 10 years ago). It was a beautiful day for them to be officially married in the church!

In closing I will leave you with a picture of Buddy. He got his first life vest this summer! He didn’t give a damn about swimming, but he enjoyed kayaking with me! I am over due to go out with him on the lake again!

I will be updating more! I will probably being posting random pictures too since I am so behind!

Test

2010-10-23T15:52:00.001-04:00

Trying out Windows live writer. This may make blogging pretty easy.

In Memory of a coworker and friend from Richmond

2010-05-19T20:26:00.003-04:00

So yesterday I was skyping with a co-worker from Richmond and she was filling me in on the things I have missed there in the past 4 or so months.

She informed me that a a co-worker who did contract work with us had passed away. I was soo sad! Her name was Latanya. She was such a strong, smart, bluntly honest, and beautiful person. I am still shocked she is gone. I am blessed to have known her, and only sad more people will not get to know her infectious smile through the world of real estate and therapy.

LaTanya Lennette Thomas-Wright

THOMAS-WRIGHT, LaTanya Lennette, of Quinton, formerly of Weldon, N.C., graduate of Huguenot High School class of 1989 and Norfolk State University class of 1995, departed this life May 6, 2010. She was a realtor with Long & Foster and a physical therapist with Amedysis. She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted husband, Patrick Wright; son, Elijah Wright; stepdaughter, Nicole Willingham; mother, Jean Thomas-Banks (Charles); father, Johnny Handsome; brother, Jarrett Johnson; two sisters, Pamela Avent and Shante Johnson; grandmother, Annie Handsome; mother-in-law, Carol Wright; father-in-law, Willie Wright; a host of other relatives and friends. Remains rest at March Funeral Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Ave., where viewing will be held Monday, May 10, from 2 to 8 p.m. and where family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Funeral service 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at Saint Paul's Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Rd. Rev. Gale Jones, eulogist. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Austin Recap

2010-02-12T21:56:00.005-05:00

So I never really posted what we have been doing since we moved to Austin in July.

The first few weeks we were here some of my grad school classmates came to visit. it was really great to see Mica and Ana!

About a month after of being here a friend of ours from LA/LSU had a Louisiana party for his Texas friends. It was nice to have "home cooking". We even had beignets and bananas foster!

There is also a very large LSU alumni association here! They had a barge party on Lake Austin this summer. I had so much fun and WAY to many jello shots! It was a beautiful day on the lake and I got to experience another part of Austin. Right before the first LSU game they also had a tailgate party for all the SEC schools at Zilker Park, another Austin classic place.

Before moving to Austin I used Facebook as the networking tool it should be used as to find Alpha Sigma Alpha sisters in Austin. I had did the same thing when I moved to Richmond,VA and became active in the alumnae group there. Through networking I was able to meet Whitney! She is a great sister, and has a somewhat smart ass personality like myself, so we get along well!

When I first met Whitney over icecream ( at the best ice cream place ever AMY'S ICE CREAM!) she had discussed starting an alumna group here in Austin! I was very excited and couldn't wait to get here meet some new sisters and be a part of soemthing special again with ASA! So in September we became the Austin alumnae Chapter! And I am serving as the VP!

When I first moved to Austin I took a job doing peds home health and outpatient. my coworkers were amazing, and well company management was less then desired and so was the pay. But I made some AMAZING friends: ALyson, Ricardo, Lisa, Ade, Robert, Korey,Kate, Lindsey (who I followed to my new job), Jessica, Yvette,and I am sure I am leaving someone out! But I love these people! We have fun hanging out. We have had a few happy hours, karaoake nights, watching the Spazmatics ( FANTASTIC 80s cover band in Austin), practicing Thriller and going to the movies!

Thanksgiving with Alyson and Ricardo

The Broussards also went and had some fun at the Oasis. A very hip joint overlooking Lake Travis and a must for sunset in the summer. A sister from Alaska also came to visit (Josephine). It was her visit and we also showed her the Oasis.

And last but not least since moving to Austin I have starting running and working out again. I started in November on Thanksgiving. Jared and me did a 5 mile Turkey Trot. I was pretty out of shape and walked over 80% of it. About a month before I had did a 5K and felt terrible!

So I bought myself a body bugg and have put myself to work. Last month I did a 1/2 Marathon Relay with a friend from college and completed 6.7 miles. And I can say I ran about 60% of it! I was pretty proud of myself. And now this weekend I will be running my first 1/2 Marathon in the Austin Marathon I am both anxious and excited!

My 30th birthday was kinda a bust, but overall I am feeling more alive then I have years and focusing on making me ME and making ME better!

The Stars at night or BIG and BRIGHT!

2010-01-30T00:22:00.002-05:00

Deep in the heart of Texas!

So it has been a long long what 6 months. We moved to Austin, TX at the end of July and I guess I have been having some much damn fun, the time has passed me by fast!

I have much to catch up on, but tonight was a hell of a night in Austin. Monday will be my 30th birthday so this weekend and next weekend I planned to enjoy myself. Jared was going to buy me my first ever IPOD (nano) today. On the way to Best Buy I stopped to gas up the Subaru. It was cold today with strong breezes so I couldn't wait to jump in my Subaru and let go of the metal pump. I get in and turn the key to hear "berruppp" and silence. The Subaru is flat-lining in the parking lot.

WHY!!!! UGHH

So I call USAA to set up a tow truck. I go to the gas station attendent, who was the meanest " I don't give a shit" Indian attendant I ever met. He offered so much help I can't even write about it here. The tow truck took FOREVER to get to us. My toes felt like small sausage popcycles. I had to get in the 1993 Toyota to keep warm.

I was thinking to myself I should be eating some good home like cooking at Evangeline right now and getting ready to go home and play with a new toy and enjoy the evening.

So the tow finally gets there and I tell him and J to take it to a car shop I took the car to a few months ago to get a sensor replaced. I follow in the Yota. I pull up to see J banging on the garage door at the shop.

What the hell?

The shop hands were having themselves a party. By party, I mean beer, big speakers, stereo system and last but not least the DISCO BALL! But it wasn't disco music. I felt like I was crashing an adult party. It was a little bit funny and strange.

So to pity ourselves we went return movies to Blockbuster (which is right next to the liquer store). I got some chocolate liquer stuff that pretty damn good, and pretty damn good with Dr. Pepper ( more experiments to come later). Jared gets some beer stuff.

I digress. So we go to blockbuster and rent 5 movies. And to our lucky surprise, if you rent that many movies at Blockbuster you get 2 free drinks, 2 free candies and 1 thing of popcorn ( days looking up right, alcohol and sugar!). Also outside the movie joint were these adorable girl scout chicks freezing pushing cookies! You know we bought some! I had so been holding out too. Oh what a day.

so we come home with all that unhealthy stuff and movies, as well as Sonic ( it was almost 10pm and I was headed to dinner for like 7ish..yeah). We start watching Whip IT, and J's phone rings. Buddy despises the ring and barks. So I fuss a him and he jumps on the couch with me.

Just when I think we are good...NOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPEE.

Buddy has another one of his seizure things. POO and PISS on the floor. It took awhile for J to realize I was saying get off the phone and come help me, and so about time he does so Buddy goes into flailing motion smearing poo into the floor.

Due to me not working with animals like I did years ago while aspiring to be a vet, I almost vomited. So when I though he was finished I took Buddy to the tub for a bath. He wasn't done but no more feces thank goodness.

Today was a hell of a day. Whip It was a great movie made me laugh and my husband cry once or twice for those oh so tender moments.

Tonight was a " wolf Moon"...which is supposed to mean brightest the moon will shine. Well, it should have meant Bad Moon Rising! I had much better night on the " Blue Moon"

30 is just around the corner!

Post for the Generations of Saint fans

2010-01-24T22:52:00.002-05:00

Saints are going to the Superbowl!

Long overdue, long awaited, and long anticipation from generations within families of Saints fans!

WHO DAT!

Round 2

2009-06-22T21:21:00.002-04:00

The move to Austin, TX is getting even closer. I really don't feel like I am moving in 3 weeks some days, and I know very well that it is coming next month. We talked with Sean, my brother-in-law, yesturday and he is going to help us move and get some sight seeing in on his end. After that phone call I looked at Jared and said CRAP We are MOVING in like 3 weeks.

So, I planned my second trip to Austin for round 2 of interviews. I am almost certain a job will come out of this trip. I have 2 skilled nursing facilities I want to interview with for a job and 2 home health agencies. I will probably stop by Seton hospital, maybe the Heart Hospital, and a few pediatric places as well.

I am staying at a hotel the first night, but plan on camping out at our new place the rest of the time. Hopefully, someone will have some wireless I can borrow, or I will have to go sit at Starbucks for awhile. May try and all my interviews done on Thursday so I can go explore the town more on Friday.

I got my TX OT license in on Saturday, so now I am free to work as an OT!

No other big new. We have starting packing the apartment. Jared is going out of town tomorrow to help with recording for the C3 Project.

Owell, I'm out. I will send out the new address once we officially move!

Fast times...

2009-05-21T16:56:00.002-04:00

I really can't believe I will be moving in little over a month. I feel like I have much of nothing done. We have a moving company coming by on the 1st to give us a quote. I am going to Austin the evening of the 3rd of June and leaving early Saturday morning. I will be looking a rentals and doing a job interview.

I have not decided if I am going to do travel therapy or a FT job. It depends on how this interview goes with the local hospital and what they offer for pay. Lots of money can be made with travel therapy, but more money can be made if you go longer distance...I really don't want a 1 H commute, but for 3 months and extra dough ( some not being taxed) may have to consider that I guess.

I know one thing for sure, I can't wait to be more settled. I feel like since Dec 2007 I have been non-stop. It started with wedding/honeymoon plans, then the wedding, the honeymoon, going home for the in-laws wedding, and now planning a move and getting a new job. ALso all the while trying to love the death out of husband, and some moments not wanting to kill him.....hehe.

ANyway, thats the news for the day.

PS I SO called Kris winning Idol, but I think I will like Gokey's first album better

Cute moment...

2009-05-19T18:32:00.002-04:00

I took Buddy for a trip to Petsmart today to get more food. The man there "Bobby" who does the dog training came by and saw a little tail wagging in the cart (he was in it because he pooed on the floor..he knew better). He came over and said " OHHHH, I SEE A HAPPY TAIL!" He began to pet him, and I told him Buddy will growl because he is so protective. We started giving him treats and talking to him in a sweet voice and telling him he was a good buddy and very cute.

Buddy ate it up...the attention and the treats! hahaha. By the end of it he was giving that man kisses and wagging his tail. We saw the man again later in the store, and he growled a little at him, and he petted Buddy again( which he was fine).

I post this to say, some people have a special touch with dogs. My husband thinks he has this touch and Buddy is the only dog that has not liked him. But to have the true touch, you must have patience and unconditional love with lots of understanding. Most of all you have to have those traits even when the animal is growling/hissing/etc.

In other news, I have my Austin trip down to the first weekend in June. I will fly in June 3rd evening and leave Fri or Saturday.

It's been a long time,since you loved me...

2009-05-11T19:17:00.002-04:00

Well it has been awhile. Guess I am not much of a blogger these days, or maybe I just do it more in pictures posted on flickr and facebook.

We are in the process of planning the move to Austin for July. I am calling for rentals and calling for jobs. I have to get my license stuff started SOON. I also need to call a mover for a quote soon. I love that gas prices are rising.

We really can't wait to be closer to home and back in the true south. I have enjoyed my time here in Richmond, VA, but home is home. Jared says he misses wide open spaces. I sang to him Dixie Chicks after he said that, and he looked at me like I was nuts, but this is probably because he can care less for most country music.

Not much going on other than that, and I working weekends again to pay for the move. We just did Race for the Cure this past weekend. We are going to the big crawfish boil in DC at the end of the month. I am also trying to plan a trip to Austin in June. My lovely Kacy is having a party for her new marriage in Alaska on the summer solstice in Anchorage I am trying to make that too,it just depends on the budget in the next month.

GUess thats all for now.

what that says.........

2009-03-20T19:53:00.001-04:00

Subaru forester 2001...Jared's car was a POS and we got a whopping 300 bucks for it and I got this for now....bye bye crummy dodge neon

the link in the original post was deleted once I bought the car

the newer car..

2009-03-20T19:27:00.001-04:00

You have a Picture Mail from Danya Sanchez

Message:

2001 Subaru forester...Js car was a POS and we got a whopping 300 for it and I got this for the time being...more pics later since the site is now gone

Options

View Picture
Print at Retail
Reply to Sender
Reply to All
Forward

Send and receive Pictures and Videos through Picture Mail^SM. For more information go to www.sprint.com/picturemail.

Please be aware your friends can forward your picture, video, and album share invitations to others or post the unique Web link to your share invitation on any number of sources (e.g. blogs), through which others could also gain access to your online photos. If you have private or sensitive photos you are sharing, please share them only with those you trust.

Always be true to yourself.........

2009-03-13T21:15:00.001-04:00

People Love you more for you....how cute

I am so bored...

2009-03-07T20:40:00.003-05:00

I saw a girl at my apartment complex today that reminded of my college days. She was all dressed up, and heading out to town. I giggled a little. All of us ladies do this walk when we are dressed up, and think we are hot no matter what anyone else thinks...just cracked me up.

I had to work today for Monday due to the snow storm. Sorry AK girlies I didn't feel safe driving my car here. I went out a 3pm that evening, and still didn't like how my car drove in the snow. This is mostly because a foot on snow in Richmond only happens every 5 years or so, thus the city/people don't handle that much snow.

Anyway, not much else to report. Looking at the car listed in the link below.

maybe car/maybe not just looking

Later Peeps. Spring 1 hour ahead tonight!

Woo

2009-03-05T22:09:00.001-05:00

so glad the weekend is near!

See Doodles Do Help You!

2009-02-28T12:06:00.001-05:00

And my husband fussed at me once because I doodled...HUH

http://health.yahoo.com/news/healthday/takenotedoodlingcanhelpmemory.html

Happy Mardi Gras and Lent!

2009-02-24T22:23:00.002-05:00

If I were in Louisiana right now I would be eating lots and lots of calories in kingcake and alcoholic beverages! Well, ok probably not because I work in Healthcare and probably would have been working, BUT I would have had kingcake.

I also would be watching my Tigers in person maybe.

ANyway, that aside. Tomorrow is the first day of lent. If you are Catholic you know about no meat on Friday, and usually for the next 40 days you make your self suffer...ha or give something up to challenge yourself and have self control. So, this year instead of givng up chocolate or carbonated drinks, I have given up being inactive or not active enough. So for the next 40 days I must workout at a minium of 3-4 days a week! Now the good thing, I started this last week!

I am pretty sore today from my ab workout Sunday and my lower body workout from my kettlebells. Kettlebells kick your ass...get some. I bought a video with mine called the Goddess video. If I just did workouts with these things I would be super hot, but umm I am not that diligent and can't take the pain. But I am doing at least one kettlebell workout a week, and doing other things at the gym.

For motivation I purchased a magnetic dry erase calendar and put it on the back of our front door. On the days we work out Jared and I write it on there. Makes it fun cause if one of us works out and the other one does not...you feel like a lazy ass!

I have also finally got all my prof wedding pics from cd to my external drive. my computer is outdated and slow so this was a painful process. I am also working on thank you cards. It's really sad. I write so much at work I don't want to write at home.

I also just got my new kitchenaide mixer in yellow! Now many people that have these gripe about size yadda yadda. But i really want to use mine. I want to get more attachments. I already got the icecream attachment as a gift, so we can make our own healthy icecream! I made the first cake this week. So nice to be able to multitask while the cake batter is mixing. ALso, much less of the batter is wasted on the mixing part and much easier to get out the nice stainless bowl...less licking for those watching!

My kitchen has purple and gold things in it.....I can't imagine why..haha. But I love it! It's LSU without any LSU labels! I also carried the fleur de lis stuff form our wedding into the kitchen.

ok I get back to the game and continue to nurse my sore ass muscles....poor glutes/quads/abs..

Link to Video of Info below

2009-01-27T16:44:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw

For the Music Lovers, supporters, and educators

2009-01-26T17:29:00.001-05:00

I checked this story out and, unfortunately, it's true. Sorta a sad commentary....
-----

A Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play
the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for
about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was
calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of
them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there
was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds
and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar
tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued
to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to
him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again.
Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His
mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the
violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to
walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several
other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move
on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and
stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their
normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took
over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any
recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the
best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces
ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before
his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston
and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro
station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social
experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The
outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour:
Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the
talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best
musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many
other things are we missing?

Greetings from WHISTLER!

2009-01-07T10:15:00.002-05:00

The Broussards finally made it here yesturday! Only about a little over 24 hours later tthe orginal arrival date.

We had the absolute worst airline trouble to get here. HORRID!

1. We went to the airport in Baton Rouge(BTR) on Jan 4th, the afternoon after the wedding. We had a 730ish flight to Houston, and then a connecting to Portland where we would have a 4hour layover. We would arrive in Vancouver on Monday the 5th at 730am and take a 3 hour bus ride to Whistler.

2. This DID NOT happen

3. Our flight out of BTR was late either due to weather/mechanical trouble (we had haerd both)...either way we knew that we would miss our Houston connection and in the long wrong our Portland flight...so the trip was messed up

4. I called all my reservations in Whistler and Vancouver and were able to get them all pushed back a day ( thank goodness!) due to it being the airports fault, and so I would not lose money! I was also able to reschedule our bus ride to Whistler.

5. I was a little upset when they could not find a flight form no where to anywhere to get us to Vancouver. Then one CONTINENTAL agent told us he had booked us both on an AMERICAN flight the next morning out of Baton Rouge connecting to Dallas then to Vancouver. We would fly out of BTR at 145pm and get to Vancouver at 730pm ( excellent I still get there on MOnday!....right)

NOTE: I also asked at this time if we could have our return date changed from the 13th to the 14th...he told me he could not do it at BTR and we needed to do that at a larger HUB.

6. So we call my AUnt to get us from the airport and we get a good nights rest. The next morning we go wiht my grandmother and return tuxes from the wedding at 10am, and decide to just got to the airpost early and let American get our tickets and have lunch. We get to the airport at 1030ish.

7. AMerican can not find our reservations. They look at us like we are stupid. We end up standing at this counter for 2 hours, talk to about 3-4 different people who are trying to help us....why so many you ask...because asshole the night before had booked me for the flights....my name was even on the passenger list TWICE....but HAD NOT booked Jared....he had put him on standby...and he didn't tell us this!

8. So the helpful and stressed American Airline folks got us a flight out of New Orleans using UNITED. They gave us a cab ride down there. We get to NOLA and the UNITED rep cna find Jared on the flight but NOT ME!!!!!! He tells us to walk across the airport to CONTINENTAL. There we meet total bitch! She did not want to help us. We told her what happened and she said very snotty there was NO reason the United rep couldn't find us in the computer. SHe prints us some paper work to bring to the UNited desk. While there I ask about getting our flight pushed back to the 14th, and we tell her what the BTR agent said about using a bigger airport to do it cause he couldn't do it. SHe SNAPS at us and says SHE can't do it and we should have done that in BTR! She wouldn't even SPEAK to us anymore about it, INSTEAD she throws a pamplet in front of me and tells me to call Customer SERVICE!

9. So we go back to UNited and they get Jared's tickets straight. Then for the icing on the cake, I was listed for the flights but had NOT been officially booked! So the UNited agent again had to clean up COntinental's screw-ups. So now we are leaving New Orleans on an evening flight into Denver. WHERE WE HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT! The airline did pay for that. But that means we now get to Whistler TUES! And we were not arriving in Vancouver until 2pm so after luggage and customs and catching a bus we don't get to WHistler until 6pm. SO WE LOSE ANOTHER HONEYMOON DAY!

10. We get to Denver with no problems...YAY....and we get to our hotel and give them the voucher from the airline. They ask if thats the only thing they gave us. We reply yes...they statr talking how info is missing on the voucher like our names....shit. Lucky for us the Hotle likes money and accepts the voucher.

11. I forgot to mention, the airline had also flagged us for searches at Denver and Vancouver.....yeah that just pissed me off more. I told Jared maybe it was ebcause we were so upset at the desk in New Orleans, but it was a AIRLINES FAULT! I had been in tears earlier that morning and was emotionally drained. Whatever, it was the tip of my last nerve with the searches.

12. WHile in Denver we decided to call Continental about the horrible customer service we recieved, and mistakes done by them to make the trip mor difficult. We were on the phone for 2 and half HOURS! We asked that they change our return flight to the 14th at no charge, because of the orginal guy at BTR saying we had that 145pm flight out on MOnday I had also had to cancel a Vancouver Hotel I had booked ( thank good ness again with no charge after I told the rep what happened with my tear filled voice), they had made us miss essentially 2 days of honeymoon and if they didn't change my flight I would lose a 3rd day AND my hotel since I had moved it back a day because i though we were going to be there MOnday night.

13. They told us for the first hour NO, and that the cab ride from BTR to NOLA and the hotel in Denver was our compensation and when we accepted that, that close the deal....BOY, did that light a fuse under our asses.....Cause we could have got to New Orleans for FREE and whats a 90 dollar hotel....no where NEAR the time and money they had made us lose/ or going to make us lose. Jared also had a bitchy rep that tried to lied to him before we got to the final lady that just changed it for us, but not after a good 45 min arguement! It was 245am when Jared got off the phone. Yes we were tired as hell!

14. Needless to say we were VERY happy to finally be here. We are both sick. I am worse then Jared with some upper resp shit, and to put the cherry on top of it all, my Aunt was waiting for me in Vancouver.......ugh. Happy HOneymoon!
We had a nice first night and will do some fun things soon, to bury all this negative from the flights here!

PS OUr wedding was BEAUTIFUL! We will blog on that later with pictures! It was an amazing day and a fun wedding week!

LOVE

The Broussards!

2 Weeks Notice

2008-12-20T19:48:00.005-05:00

No I am not changing jobs...just my status! The wedding is 2 weeks from today. Kind hard to believe. Time goes by soo fast. Planning has been in full speed, and making me crazy. I think this past week was the worst. I am ready just to enjoy everything, everyone's company, have a ceremony, and celebrate!

Not much else has been going on. Jared officially completed all his courses for his undergrad degree. He is very excited about that. He felt like he had waited for ever because he was in the Marines. Now he just has to get the fee bill straight and apply for Grad School.

I bought myself a present 2 weeks ago. I was on the fence about it. I called Becky because she has the same thing and ask if it was a deal. She said grab it UP! SO of course I did!

I got myself a Canon Rebel! I will go to some lessons after the wedding and honeymoon to get better knowledge/use with my new toy! It was kind of funny, I called Jared to tell him I got myself a present, and he guessed a GPS. I laughed and said NOOOOO, try a LITTLE more expensive! I rewarded myself for working every damn weekend since May!

I will be posting all my shots from my Rebel on my FLICKR account.

We are going down to Louisiana ( or heading that way) the day after Christmas once I get off of work. We probably will make it in early on the 27th.

I am taking bridals on the 29th...I know craziness! Anyway, we are excited and can't wait for all the fun!

Engagement PIctures!

2008-10-27T22:09:00.002-04:00

Click each picture to see a different album on facebook!

Much thanks to my matron and friend Becky Christofferson for the pictures!

Another site with pictures of HONEYMOON

2008-10-24T22:21:00.000-04:00

LOCATION

Whistler!

Busted Flats in Bama, waiting on a Tow...

2008-10-24T19:47:00.003-04:00

That was our song last weekend!

We left Richmond Thurs afternoon and were on our way to Louisiana at 3pm. We SHOULD have made it to PLaquemine, LA by 9am or so.

I decided to take the mountain route through VA for a change. We haven't done that route since we moved up here. I think it was because of the bad experience I had with the ride seeming to take for ever, the bad driver side rear mirror that had to be duct taped and held, and the leaky cab roof that poured on me and I had to hold a plastic bag over!

Anyway, we made it through VA just fine. I took my 3 hour nap and was awakened by Jared saying we had a left front flat. Still half asleep I ask "UHHH NO..dammit...where are we?" He tells me somewhere middle of Alabama. SO we pull off at a gas station and pull everything out the trunk to get the spare. I go in the store to get a tire gauge.

Meanwhile while J is changing the flat a rather large guy ( he kinda looked Samoan) watches and makes small talk with us. Few minutes later this skinny scrappy lil white kid comes over and appears to be a friend of this guy. Here comes the IDIOT part, you ready? Mr. Big ask little man why he is there, and little man responds " uhh, haha, I wanna buy some stuff from you." Mr. Big responds " Not Right now, come back little later, ok?"

IDIOT...see kids don't do drugs

So we chnage our flat and the hell away from dumbasses. I take over and we are not on the road another 15-20mins and BOOM goes the spare. This time off side the interstate in the middle of gosh knows where at 3am..yeah. I am saying not so nice words in my mind wanting to cry. Jared calls his car insurance (thanks USAA) and we set up a tow, which the computer calls to tell us will be there in the hour. But between the first call and the computer call back. Jared walks to see what mile marker we are at, and a truck pulls up and I see lights in the headlight area on the truck. I think YAY woohoo we have help. I get more excited when the truck gives J a ride back to the car.

However, I become confused when Jared gets out the truck and he drives off. I asked J who the guy was, he said he told us to stay to the side of the road and just offered to drop him off. WHAT? Is this guy a shitty popo, shitty volunteer fireman? Within 30mins we find out, he was part of the road crew! You see where we pulled over there were orange cones, which was nice and safe cause traffic was away. SO 30mins later here comes the truck and and they start taking the orange cones. ANd you know what, NO ONE stopped to see if we were ok and if help was on the way...bastards.

I tow truck gets there...whew, and the poor guy looks like Billy Bob Thorton..no kidding. Poor guy, we was very very nice to us, but he couldn't hardly talk...back woods southern Bama..it was bad.

Anyhow, while on our way to our destination ( A goodyear tire place where we slept in the car for 3 or so hours until they opened!), we passed up a sign " University of Alabama ->"...you see folks we were in TUSCULOOSA sporting my LSU band alumni hat and Jared in his LSU shirt...hehe. We laughed about it with our tow guy. The guys at the car place were so nice the next morning. We had a nice stay and got on the road 9am, when we were supposed to be in LA...ahh.

We got to Plaquemine at 3pm! I was lil upset cause I didn't get to meet with the florist. I did get to meet the cake lady, so that was good. I barely got the see my animal siblings at my dad's place. It was such a rushed day. Right after meeting about the cake, we headed to Church Point about hour way to go visit and stay the night with Jared's parents. We were soo exhausted we had been driving and sleeping in my car for 24 hours. We felt so gross. I think that I had the best shower that night, it felt soo good to be clean. We were also glad to have a home cooked meal again and not junk or gas station food. We had a very nice visit. I got some younger year pictures of Jared that I will use for something at a later date...no details..hahaha!

We did not want to get up the next morning. But we finally did and met Becky at LSU for engagement pictures. We stopped by Mike's cage while we waited for Becky. OK, so this is the first time (since I am out of state) that I have been able to see this Tiger up close near the front of his habitat, usually the damn thing is hiding in the back bushes sleeping. ANyway, I am all excited to see him up close, and I am admiring his beauty and thinking how amazing he is going to look when ge gets older and fills out more (he is still pretty young Tiger). Well, Mike walks closer to the side where I stand and he turns his back to me and PEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DUDE, like if I would have been 2 steps closer I would have got pissed on by Mike's flying urine!

This trip was turning out to be a joke, I swear! However, we had a damn fine time taking our pictures. Becky is still editing them, so I don't have them yet!

That night we had our engagement/cocktail party that Becky's parents gave us. We had a nice time, and all the parents finally got to meet. I was able to have 5 out of my 8 attendants there. That was oo cool. I can't wait until the big day to have fun with all the ladies! We also, watched the LSU game. SO we won, but I wasn't satisfied with the game. Someone needs to put some damn glue or something in Lafell's hands. I digress, the party was great and so was the food. I need to do some thank you cards! All the pictures from the event can be found at facebook. I need to get my step-mom's photos. Somehow I missed my Aunt in my pictures.

We drove home early Sunday morning, and thank goodness had an uneventful drive home! I was so tired at work Monday, and had a extra long day at home. I really didn't get to rest until Tuesday. My patients told me by Wed I was finally looking better..hehehe.

I have more I could write. But this is getting long. I will say my wedding bands are in and I need to get them soon. AND we are going to WHistler for our honeymoon! WInter honeymoon for a winter wedding! Whistler is 3 hours outside Vancouver in British COlumbia Canada!

WOOO

OUR MOMS

OUR DADS

the LADIES

Future In-Laws!

We're HOT

One step closer

2008-10-07T20:54:00.004-04:00

I went do the fitting for dress alterations today! I took lots of pictures and shared with my matrons and maids. It as so exciting, and the girls that work at the shop are so fun. Less than 90 days to go!

Since I can't share wedding dress pictures. I will post some pictures from the apartment when we watched the Auburn game with Bill, Ashley and her sister!

Look at the silly man I am going to marry...Heaven help me..haha.

They were so excited!

much better

Poor baby was tired

Oh my Oh my...

2008-09-30T20:21:00.002-04:00

Sooo, the invites are in! Yay! They look wonderful. I have to order the seals now. I have practiced making my chocolates and have to decide on my candy holder and etc. My wedding bells are in.

Jared and I finished our cana class. We only have to meet with the Deacon now and finish the paper work. We meet with the priest in Louisiana later. I have been looking at readings for the wedding.

My wedding bands have been set and are off for the hand engraving. We are waiting for Jared's to come in. Becky has soo kindly said she will do some engagement like pictures for me at LSU. I don't want all that many so I didn't do anything with my photographer.

We are going home Oct 17th weekend. I will get the flowers and hopefully hair stuff taken care of in that trip. I had started with my cake stuff, but thanks to Hurricane Gustav my cake place was damaged and is closed until November. And they won't continue my ordered until November after I did all that ground work. I explained I was out of state....yeah, they dind't care, too busy getting the shop back, so have to let my step-mom help with that...makes me frustrated and nervous.

I also need to go do dress alterations soon! I made a list last week,,eeek. I am so ready for the day!

Not much else going on. My dvd player quit working properly last weekend and we had to go get a new one. I still need to post pictures from Ashley and Bill's visit 2 weekends ago. I have been slacking with picture taking and loading them to the computer.

Oh I have nothing else..blah

check

2008-09-22T21:03:00.000-04:00

Invitations on the order!

Football nerves

2008-09-21T20:12:00.005-04:00

Wooo

So LSU pulled off the win! First time winning at Auburn since my freshman year in 1998! Poor Hatch got " Knocked the F________ OUT" ( For all you Friday fans). Poor guy was looking confused as hell, but he let the other QB shine and people are singing his graces. We will see. I am a bit nervous for the rest of the season...what else is new for LSU football games. I saw one article today that LSU had the SECRET, that no matter what we knew how to win! haha

We watched the game with Bill, Ashley, and Aubrey (Ashley's sister). We had a good time and good BBQ. Aubrey isn't in to football. Thus in my pictures we are being dorks and she is doing crossword puzzles..haha. I will share pictures later.

Earlier tonight I ordered wedding invites. I will wait for a proof via email before it is set in stone. Now I need to get some things for the back of the invites. Just another wedding preview for you. A picture of how the church is decorated during Christmas! I stole the image from another photographers website, this is not my picture guy. Click picture for a better view.

We will be home the 3rd weekend in October. We will be finshing up wedding things, and Mrs. Carriere is giving us a cocktail party.

107 and counting down

2008-09-18T06:22:00.002-04:00

I think I am going to have to stop looking at the numbers...makes me anxious.

I have to order our invitations soon, and I need to tweak the guest list some. We are going home a month from now to finish up wedding planning. My home town is in the middle of repairing itself from Gustav still. The place I am getting my cake also had some damage..which made me nervous. But my step-mom told me a contractor owns the place and had already started repairs last week.

It feels so weird for me. We are planning for a big day in our lives and I am trying to get all these things done, and I feel bad to call down to Louisiana for things when people are still feeling the effects of Gustav and Ike. Part of me says IT"S MY WEDDING and the other part says stop being a baby and plan the stuff after thing calm down, I just feel more anxious about the whole thing now. I know everyone will be ready for a party 3.5 months from now.

My wedding bands are almost paid in full, and last weekend we went pick Jared's out. We are waiting for it to come in to see if it for sure what he wants, and if not he will just probably have a plain band.

I still need to go for my dress alterations. I made my shoes. I know some ladies if my fmaily will/are not happy about what I will be wearing...but you really don't see the feet and I want to be confortable, and enjoy the day without worrying about sore feet or tripping all over heels!

OH and football has started! I am ready for a first "real" game for LSU this weekend. We get to really see where we are in playing this season. We watched the first 2 games with the alumni group here.

Not much else going on. Jared has been busy with school, and I have been have very busy weeks at work...getting tired.

Last weekend we had our first marriage prep class. It wasn't bad at all. Most of the questions they made us do with each other, Jared and I had already discussed. I think some of it has to do with age with some of the questions though. I mean for the questions we had to ask each other you may view them different if you were 21 VS 30. Some had to do wiht children, concerns about your relationship down the road, and taking care of your parents when they becole elder and ill. Next weekend is our last day for the marriage prep. We then have to meet with our Deacon to do paper work.

oh crap...off to work I go

Ugh, gosh no

2008-09-17T19:21:00.002-04:00

From a TV point I don't like the move...

Maybe I don't like change...

the quite below..ummm..gives me bad pictures or people blasting and making nasty noises on horns..really

While there were some initial concerns about sound being lost playing lengthwise across Tiger Stadium — instead of sideline to sideline — Wickes said he is pleased with the move.

“Everybody loves it,” he said, explaining that more people can see and hear the band even if more projection is required.

“Our band is pretty powerful,” he said.

One of my Maids wants to get hitched!!!!

2008-09-12T16:45:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Kacy and her VERY young engagement to Scott!

WOOOHOO

I guess Alpha Sigs are a great catch! Just as good as Psi brothers..hahaha.

Fashion May Rock...

2008-09-09T21:12:00.002-04:00

but Beyonce singing Etta James does not.

Sorry Beyonce you tried, but adding all that crap to try and sound like Etta makes it worse.

Those of you that are die hard Beyonce fans...sorry, it sucked.

Holy Moly..121 Days

2008-09-04T18:39:00.002-04:00

That's 4 months and a day away from our big day! I am getting a little anxious. I am still feeling like a have done so much but with a few more things left to do.

My family is still ok from Gustav...still no power, and still living with generators and window units. They are eating well though, I called my daddy yesturday and he was frying some deer backstrap..yummers. My aunt and uncle's pool house/shed got this most damage for my family, and my mom got a leak in her room. Otherwise, everything is OK.

I feel so weird not being home in LA right now. Kinda like I am living in another universe from my family. I know they are ok and doing well. It just feels weird not being able to help them day to day or anything. While I work, they drive around helping get trees off friend's houses and such. I hope Hurricane IKE stays clear from LA and lets them get the power back.

Anyway, also thanks to Gustav there will be no LSU game...boo.

Jared is back in school and getting into the swing of things. He is taling biology which is bringing back some memories for me. He came home talking about phospholipids and I drew a picture for him. I told him I can remember useless things like that and about permeability of them...sad.

Tues this week I went with some co-workers to the Byrd Theater to watch Sex in the City. It was funny. We had a good time too. I love seeing movies in that place. It's old, it's beautiful, and gives you a different experience of watching a movie versus the brightness and gimics of today's modern facilities.

Not much else going on. Looks like Gustav's cousin Hanna may be bringing us some rain this weekend.

later folks

2008-09-01T16:55:00.003-04:00

**Most intense landfalling U.S. hurricanes**
Intensity is measured solely by central pressure
Rank	Hurricane	Season	Landfall pressure
1	"Labor Day"	1935	892 mbar (hPa)
2	Camille	1969	909 mbar (hPa)
3	Katrina	2005	920 mbar (hPa)
4	Andrew	1992	922 mbar (hPa)
5	"Indianola"	1886	925 mbar (hPa)
6	"Florida Keys"	1919	927 mbar (hPa)
7	"Okeechobee"	1928	929 mbar (hPa)
8	Donna	1960	930 mbar (hPa)
9	Carla	1961	931 mbar (hPa)
10	Hugo	1989	934 mbar (hPa)
Source: National Hurricane Center

Most intense Atlantic hurricanes
Intensity is measured solely by central pressure
Rank	Hurricane	Season	Min. pressure
1	Wilma	2005	882 mbar (hPa)
2	Gilbert	1988	888 mbar (hPa)
3	"Labor Day"	1935	892 mbar (hPa)
4	Rita	2005	895 mbar (hPa)
5	Allen	1980	899 mbar (hPa)
6	Katrina	2005	902 mbar (hPa)
7	Camille	1969	905 mbar (hPa)
	Mitch	1998	905 mbar (hPa)
	Dean	2007	905 mbar (hPa)
10	Ivan	2004	910 mbar (hPa)
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

GUSTAV
HE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 962 MB...28.26 INCHES.

he use of the name "Rita" reflects the record-breaking activity of the 2005 hurricane season: only once before had a name starting with "R" (the seventeenth name in the list each season) been used for an Atlantic storm, in 1995 for Hurricane Roxanne. The formation of Rita actually marked the third time that seventeen storms had formed in a season since tropical storm naming began in 1950. However, in the 1969 season, under less-sophisticated forecasting systems, many tropical storms were not named; the seventeenth storm of 1969 was named Hurricane Martha.

Other records set by Rita:

Earliest 17th named storm in Atlantic hurricane season
Fourth most-intense storm in Atlantic basin
Greatest one-hour pressure drop in Atlantic basin
Most intense hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico (breaking record set by Hurricane Katrina only three weeks earlier)
When it reached cat 5 on the 21st, it was the 3rd cat 5 this year, making 2005 the only season with more than 2 cat 5's

Andrew...16 years ago

2008-09-01T16:06:00.003-04:00

Was the last time my family and myself saw a large hurricane. Thats a long time living in the south to see one.

I called my family and everyone is fine thus far. The eye-wall had just hit...so fences and roofing was coming off. I don't think Gustav got quite as big as Andrew, but when people haven't had one in 16 years, everything is big.

s the high pressure system to its north weakened, a strong mid-latitude trough approached the area from the northwest. This caused the hurricane to decelerate to the northwest,^[3] and winds decreased as Andrew approached the Gulf Coast of the United States. At 0830 UTC on August 26 the cyclone made its final landfall in a sparsely populated area of Louisiana about 20 miles (32 km) westsouthwest of Morgan City with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h).^[10] Hurricane Andrew weakened rapidly as it turned to the north and northeast, and within ten hours weakened to a tropical storm.

In 2002, as part of an ongoing review of historical hurricane records, National Hurricane Center experts concluded that Andrew had sustained winds of 165 mph (265 km/h) briefly before and during landfall, making it a Category 5

Berwick, Louisiana reported sustained winds of 96 mph (154 km/h) with gusts to 120 mph (193 km/h). The highest gust of 173 mph (278 km/h) was reported from a drilling barge on Bayou Teche in coastal St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.^[21]

Katrina vs Gustav

2008-09-01T06:07:00.002-04:00

Just looking at ome pictures before I go to work this morning. The first 2 are Katrina and the second GUstav.

Katrina was one of the meanest storms I have ever seen. She had the most well defined eye, and she was red as hell with rain. Looking at Gustav, he doesn't quite look the same. He has some time to get bigger...we'll see. That being said, a hurricane is a hurricane and will bring it's usual rain and wind damage, and thanks to the drought I'm sure flooding will be common in areas. I guess I just don't think this is another Katrina, and if I am right thank goodness for only one storm of the century!

LSU vs Appl State

2008-08-31T18:14:00.003-04:00

Here are some shots hanging with the other LSU alumni at Mulligan's watching the season begin!

Geaux Tigers!

Jared making a face as usual and me joining in for a change!

This i how cute he can be.

White dress in a Hurricane Tiger Wave

2008-08-30T06:12:00.002-04:00

So my dress came in Yesturday! I was very excited to finally see THE dress in person. I have to small pictures of it on my cell phone, but I need alterations and the dress isn't fitting like it will be on THE DAY right now, so pictures don't do it justice.

In other news, I saw LSU's game has been moved up...to 10:30...wow...yeah, poor band nerds will be putting water in the stadium BEFORE the crack of dawn...

I also wanted to say to all the folks, friends, and family down in Louisiana to stay safe, stay stocked, and take pictures all your stuff for insurance!

I hope the Tigers win, and Gustav dies out and doesn't turn out to be the bad threat he can be!

Have a Happy Labor Day everyone!

OH I love it!

2008-08-22T20:06:00.003-04:00

I finally got a beautiful face shot of ERC

I can't wait to meet her!

Evelyn Rose Christofferson!

2008-08-22T17:48:00.003-04:00

My friend Becky had her baby yesturday at 956pm Central time! 7 lbs 9ozs

I can't wait to meet her! She came just in time for the LSU football season...you'll never guess what her going home outfit looks like...hmmm...

anyway here are 2 of the few pics I have seen of her so far. SHe has a red tint to her like her mama.

Here comes the bride........

2008-08-19T20:12:00.002-04:00

AND that's ALL I am saying and showing you!

140 Days and Nights

2008-08-16T15:26:00.009-04:00

Until the BIG day is here!

I have got a few more wedding things taken care of this week. Our church stuff is in the process of being done. We have our cana classes next month and I am in contact with the Deacon to set dates with him to do preparation work. I have called to get copies of our baptism record with annotations of all our other sacraments.

I also went ordered some work to my engagement ring and wedding band. I am getting both rings shanked due to the backs being so thin and I don't want them to break or bend out of shape. I am also adding to small bands to the side of the wedding band that will contain small diamonds from a ring that belonged to my mama. Each band is only 2mm. They will be milgrain like the picture below and have some hand engraving done on them to keep the look antique. I can get them all sartered together if I wish. I am also getting the wedding band sized down to a 7.

I also got my garter in this week, some decor for Jared's groom cake and other stuff ordered for that too, I found what I am going to do for my shoes, got more attendant stuff, and have had fun planning and spending money!

Here are some pictures of random things!

Some pictures from last weekend. Dobell sent another outfit and Jared and I went out to the Watermelon Festival down in Carytown. We were disappointed that Double T's didn't do watermelon alcohol beverages this year...they suck.

BUDDY FIVE-O

Buddy saying "Hey Daddy, where ya going?"

Me eating watermelon, making a funny face waiting for J to get to Carytown.

The Tuxes we are getting for the wedding..HOT huh? hahahaha

No this was at a retro/antique clothing store in Carytown.

Man talk about Hot dogs!

Jared not enjoying his NON-watermelon drink...that wasn't even that good..sigh

Few more cute pictures for you of Buddy. He LOVES to ride in the car. He just doesn't like sitting in turning lanes and those obnoxious other drivers have the nerve to pull next to his car..hahaha. My dog is crazy at times, and brilliant at other times.

I"m so excited....

2008-08-02T19:12:00.002-04:00

Well it comes and goes. I am watching " So who's wedding is it ANYWAY?"

Show cracks me up and cry at the tender moments. I swear the older I get, and more milestones I reach in my life the easier I cry. Sometimes you feel so crazy to be a woman...you can go from being a complete bitch to crying in your fiance's arms to laughing ALL in like 3 minute time span!hahaha

Wedding planning is speeding ahead and decisions are being made....it just getting closer. The closer it gets, sometimes the more emotional I feel and excited I get and want to day to be amazing.

I found my garter. I don't have my shoes. I am working out final details of our favors. I would like to get some type of engagement like pictures taken and a few bridals once the dress is in RIC. I need to figure out the wording for the invites and get seals. I need to get all the updated addys, and figure out room/board for some people. I will order my cake soon, and Jared's too. We have so much to do, even with so much done.

I can't wait. I"m babbling with excitement and nervouness!

Vacation for 5

2008-07-29T19:31:00.002-04:00

FINALLY I got a vacation. I go come a few times a year,but that is not really ever a vacation because I am usually running every where to see everyone and there for some event here lately, and I usually come home exhausted.

This was the first true vacation Jared and I took together. It was kinda nice and relaxing!

We were originally going to head to Salisbury, MD on Thursday but the weather wasn't clear on what it was going to be like in MD, so we opted to stay home for the first day. Buddy spent most of the morning home enjoying the cool morning on the deck, and later went to the "Dog Spa."

Jared hung around the house and I went to the pooool!

Earlier in the morning after dropping Buddy off I ventured to Target for sunglasses. Got some ugly ones looking back. And dumb me forgot to take my hair down when I tried them on, so when I wear the dang things with my hair down they squeeze the heck out of my head!

It was a wonderful day poolside!

Later that day we headed out to Maryland. It wasn't a bad drive. We caught some traffic near Annapolis ( and NO, I didn't get to see no sexy men in white...damn!)

We stayed in Maryland in Salisbury with Jared's friend from USMC, Brandon, and his girlfriend Megan! They also have a baby name Riley! He is so cute, but very much in his puppy stage. His mom and dad say he is going to "school" soon..hehe. He was so cute to watch because he is kinda goofy right now on his feet. But look how sweet!

A couple days later we all went out to see how Riley liked to swim. It took some coaxing, but he did it.

On Friday morning, Jared and me headed down the road to Ocean City, MD for the beach! We spent overall about 4 hours or so out there. It was a wonderful day out! It started out partly cloudy with a breeze, and became sunny with a breeze. Perfect weather! We took a 27 block stroll down approx half the boardwalk and walked back on the beach.

Pretty HUH?

ALASKA at the BEACH? well...

Funny story while walking on the beach: Jared and Danya are walking along the beach. Out of the blue they hear a mother hollering " Patience NO...PATIENCE!" And before they knew what was going on Danya spotted the girl named "Patience" and she politely chunked 2 small handfuls of sand on Danya's legs. Jared and Danya laughed and thought " Why on EARTH would you name your daughter "PATIENCE"?

Celebrity viewing: Jared and I went to a surf shop off the boardwalk, and were browsing the reef flip-flops which I ended getting a new pair. We walked over to the checkout and the cashier guy is beaming and saying "You're my FAVORITE character!" Jared and I look at each other, because from behind this person does look like someone famous. He is tall skinny and bald, and normal looking. The guy starts doing an autograph, and the cashier ask his shirt size. He turns around and I say " Oh HI, I recognize you!"...dumb I know but it is all that came out. Anyway, for you LOST fans we saw Mr. John Locke. I am not a LOST watcher myself, and the poor guy seemed to be trying to keep it low key and enjoy his vacation so I didn't use the camera.

Anyway, enough stories, here are some shots from the beach!

Our lunch at Dough Roll (something like that)...just one day of rest and I already look better!

ROCKS!

Jared's shots of me!

Jared and me leaving the beach..sniff

I only posted a handful of the pictures from the trip to Maryland and the Ocean City trip. You can see all the pictures at Vacation on facebook.

We had a really nice visit with Brandon AKA "B", Megan, and Riley. We watched Jack-Ass 2 finally while visiting, and I laughed my tail off. There were only 2 scenes that I could not handle. We also went to the theater to see Step-Brother. I enjoyed a few scenes in this flick. It's def better see this one with a group of people! Our last day Megan's co-worker had a Edy's ice cream party she won by writing an essay. We had so many yummy flavors. I don't think I ever ate some many different ones in such a short period!

Us after eating much ice cream!

OUR HOSTS!

The BOYS talking Marine stories, making "The Face" for Jordy (another USMC bro) and being silly. While they do this Megan and I talk about how much the boys are alike in so many ways!

We left Maryland Sunday evening and made our way up to Reston, VA. We had dinner with Ashley and Bill! Ashley has LONG hair, I don't think I have seen her with it that long in years, and I love it! But she is chopping it off in OCT after her friends wedding, I tried to change her mind but I am sure I failed! We had a really nice dinner and visit. I never feel like we have enough time for a visits! We def need a weekend to really hang out!

On Monday we picked up Buddy from the SPA. On the way there traffic was unusually bad on the road, and come to find out someone had busted a naturla gas line..yeah not cool. So it took us 35mins to get him versus 15! Anyway, he was happy to see us, and growled at Jared as usual in the car...guess he blamed him for vacation...haha. He went home and was pooped! He wouldn't even wake up when J called his name, poor baby. Later that afternoon we heading down to The Bottom to have dinner at Europa's with Roxanne and Eric Jacobs (that now lives in Texas!) We had a great time catching up over tapas, sangria and dessert!

We had a wonderful and relaxing time. We really enjoyed every minute and getting to visit with friends over the past few days. I can't wait until my next big vacation in January with Jared!

In closing, we are doing the Biggest Loser at work. This is gonna be fun and motivating! Again for ALL pictures from our vacation check the facebook link listed above!

For all my baby Mama friends and furture Brides-to-be

2008-07-10T20:59:00.016-04:00

So it seems so many of my friends are having babies or getting married in the 2007-2008 season..haha. I shouldn't call it a season, but it feels like one sometimes. The last time this occurred was in 2002. Becky got married April 2002, then Carrie summer 2003, then Julie Summer 2004, and finally Jill Fall 2005.

Anywho.... So, 2 classmates from OT Grad school have had beautiful baby girls! Stacey Trahan Matt and her hubby Chris had baby Audrey who is now 8 weeks old and looks adorable:

The other classmate is Ana Talamantez. She and her hubby Henry. I thought I knew her name and I can't remember it or find it in an email. I need to call her, we haven't talked on the phone in a long time! Here is her angel!

I also have a some friends from my LSU days that are now becoming parents. Some of my closer friends are Carrie and Becky. Carrie and her husband Kris just had their baby girl on July 5th. They named her Cora. Check her out! ONly days old!

Now Becky is due August 26th, but like her I really think her baby may be a week or two before then. We don't believe her due date. She and her husband Mark want the sex of the baby to be a surprise so they are not finding out. But of course, because she and I are like biological genius like people ( OK, we're not but we like to pretend), we think its a girl, just a feeling. SO, no baby pics yet. But here is the last ultrasound and most recent baby bump shots! ( Don't kill me Becky, you know you LOVE me way to damn much!)

Some other LSU people with new babies are Jay Zarazura(I am SURE I just spelled his name wrong so don't kill me LSU people) and his wife with a new girl, and Ashley Lobdell and her hubby greeted their second baby girl Sophia..such a doll like her sister! Have a look! Oh and Meesh and Brian also had their first baby boy!

My 2nd cousin Casey also had her second baby girl 5 months ago. Ashlyn! She and her big sis are always smiling. Casey says she feels lucky to have had 2 good babies!

Now 2 of some REALLY old school friends (these girls I have went to school with 90% of my life!) also had babies. My future Matron of Honor, Jill Granger, had her final baby after 2 boys a little girl HOPE! She is a doll and a good baby...she would make you want more babies she is so sweet. My friend "Mawmaw" Julie had her second baby boy after her first baby boy became her angel. Her William is now a year old and Jill's lil girl will be a year old in September. Julie's baby is a mess and a total mama's boy. He loves dancing to music and giving his cat-brother Sebastian a hard time! Check out my "niece and nephew"!

One friend and sister from Alaska is expecting her baby soon as well ( Nan I"m stealing a picture to talk about you here!) Check out Nancianna's baby bump and her hubby Rob! I can't wait to see this baby either! Nan I used the airplane picture cause it makes me giggle.

Not only did my friends have babies, but 2 of Jared's friends also had kiddos! His friend Mando from USMC ( his wife is Kristen)had a baby boy who is now almost a year old, Salvador. Another friend from HS, Josh and his gf Bree had a baby boy Mason! Check out Mason. Followed by Sal (short for Salvador).

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK.....now for the BRIDES TO BE!

Not only I am getting married, but a few other people as well. Jared's brother David and his fiance Renee will be getting married April 18 2009 right after Jared and myself. But this year, Pam from Tigerband has got married. My dear dear sister Jenny Jones ( and in 2 days FAST!) wiil be getting married in Alaska. Last summer my sister Becca got married in Alaska. 2 other friends from Tigerband are getting married in August, Chris Dolese and Megan Stone. One of our Tigerband friends is getting married the SAME DAY as Jared and me in Florida, how cool is that? There were also 3 or 4 other girls from my LSU days that just got married or wll be married by December. Another classmate from OT school, Elisha, got married a few months ago in Louisiana. And just very recently my friend Micah Blouin form my high school days got married!

I know this seems like a silly blog. But all the people around me are celebrating such beautiful things with new lives with new babies, and new beginings with new marriages. If I left anyone out feel free to scold me...haha. I am so happy for all of these people! I feel so lucky to share in all the excitement as well as be a part of it!

JENNY AND ADAM get HITCHED 7-12-08..woohooo..soon to be Jenny Fast

ELISHA AND BRAD COATS

future brother in Law David Broussard and Renee Latour(Broussard in April 2009)

Pam and Brian...I'm not going to try this last name...forgive me Pam.

Becca and Logan Merrel

Jaime and Amanda getting HITCHED SAME DAY as Jared and ME 1-3-09!

Megan and Chris getting married in August!

Congrats to Micah and Jennifer Blouin!